The University of Redlands women's soccer team took to Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) action on Sunday night by squaring off against the Whittier College Poets under the lights at Farquhar Field. Following a scoreless 90 minutes of competition, the Bulldogs worked to net the game-winner in dramatic fashion during overtime to take home the 1-0 victory.
The Bulldogs came out firing to start the game, as senior midfielder Summer Norquist (Boise, ID) blasted off a shot in the opening minute. Senior midfielder Savannah Laursen (Boise, ID) and freshman midfielder Hayley Romo (Port Orchard, WA) each tried their foot in the first half, but to no avail.
Sophomore goalkeeper Hannah Menk (Pleasanton, CA) provided a solid backing in goal by hauling in two saves in the first period.
The Bulldogs worked for more opportunities in the second half and successfully amassed 11 shots due to their persistence. Norquist led the way with three, while sophomore midfielder Shayla Funk (Fremont, CA) made a significant difference on the pitch by utilizing her height en route to a pair of header attempts that narrowly missed.
The Bulldog backline of junior Faith Campbell (Bainbridge Island, WA), senior Sam Keary (Mission Viejo, CA), and sophomore Erin Schlosser (Sammamish, WA) minimized the Poets' output to just three shots in the second half. In addition, senior goalkeeper Lexi Felix (Kailua, HI) provided key contributions between the pipes by hauling in two saves.
In the 98th minute, the Poets saw their lone shot opportunity swooped up by Felix, who quickly worked the ball downfield. After multiple successful connections, sophomore forward Mollie Craighead (Descanso, CA) sent home the game-winner in the 99th minute, with a little help from freshman midfielder Lauren Bay (Oak Park, CA) on the assist.
Redlands held the shot advantage over the Poets by a 17-10 mark. Norquist led the way with four shots, while Funk and Bay recorded three apiece.
Felix and Menk combined efforts to earn the Bulldogs' shutout, while Menk was awarded the start and hauled in two saves and Felix earned the win after making three saves.
The Bulldogs (4-1-1, 3-1-0 SCIAC) continue SCIAC action on Wednesday, September 30, when they travel to Orange to face off against the Chapman University Panthers at 4 p.m.
