The University of Redlands women's soccer team continued its 2014 campaign on Sunday by taking on regional competitor George Fox University (OR) under the lights at Farquhar Field. Solid defensive play mixed with a heavy dose of offensive chances translated into a 2-0 Bulldog win over the Bruins.
The Bulldogs came out firing and set the tone early, as they outshot the Bruins, 15-4, in the first half. Senior forward Tanya Haggen (Bellingham, WA) and junior midfielder Summer Norquist (Boise, ID) led the offensive charge directly out of the gate, blasting off a combined seven shots in the first half. In addition, junior defender Sam Keary (Mission Viejo, CA) was inches away from netting her first shot in the game when her blast banked off the left post.
The Bulldog defense impressed in the first half, as it held the Bruins' to just four shots after 45 minutes of action. Junior midfielder Cassie Lively (Redmond, WA) and sophomore defender Faith Campbell (Bainbridge Island, WA) stepped up for the Maroon and Gray, working to keep the ball in front of the Bruin goal.
Redlands' hard work on the offensive end of the field finally paid off, as the Bulldogs hopped on the board in the 54th minute. Junior midfielder Savannah Laursen (Boise, ID) displayed pin-point accuracy when she crossed the ball to Haggen, who promptly buried a header into the back of the net for the score. The Haggen header gained a 1-0 lead for the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs continued to cart a heavy foot, as senior forward Lihini Weerasinghe (Redlands, CA) followed with a score of her own in the 73rd minute. Sophomore midfielder McKenzie Oliger (Seattle, WA) picked up the assist on the score, as she threaded the needle with a pass between two Bruin defenders in leading her teammate towards the goal.
The Maroon and Gray stymied any scoring chances by the in-region foes, resulting in the quality win for Redlands.
The Bulldogs utilized two goalkeeper talents, as junior Lexi Felix (Kailua, HI) and freshman Hannah Menk (Pleasanton, CA) combined for the shutout. Menk picked up the win with two saves in the second half, while Felix recorded two saves in the opening 45 minutes.
Redlands out-shot George Fox, 28-12, while the Bulldogs also registered six corner kicks.
The Bulldogs (2-1-0) begin Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) competition at home against the Chapman University Panthers (4-1-0) on Wednesday, September 17, at 7 p.m.
