Redlands Women's Soccer Dominates La Verne, 4-1

Redlands women's soccer celebrating a goal.

The University of Redlands women's soccer team electrified Farquhar Field with a 4-1 victory over the University of La Verne in a Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) duel on Wednesday night.

After gaining possession with stout defense in the sixth minute, senior forward Alexa Groesser (Denver, CO) sent a through-pass to senior forward Gabby Hart (Burien, WA). Hart took a few dribbles and went upper 90 from 16 yards out for the inaugural goal of the game.

Hart nearly registered an assist in the 18th minute when she received the ball inside the box and played it back to junior forward Emily Falla (Woodinville, CA), who missed her shot wide. Nonetheless, Falla took full advantage of her next touch with a spectacular shot that curved in past the Leopards' goalkeeper from 30 yards out to help the Bulldogs take a two-goal lead with 25 minutes to go in the half.

However, La Verne cut the deficit back down to one just over a minute later on a scramble play in front of the net to make it 2-1 in favor of Redlands.

Soon after, the Bulldogs put the pressure back on the Leopards with three shots in a 40-second span that were each blocked. Less than three minutes after checking into the game, sophomore defender Nolan Mendonca (San Diego, CA) made an immediate impact by sending senior forward Skyla Wilson (Palm Desert, CA) down the left flank with a well-placed through-ball. Wilson settled it and netted the Bulldogs' third score to put Redlands back to a two-goal advantage.

Two minutes later, junior defender Abby Nordquist (Gig Harbor, WA) jumped up for a header goal off of a corner from sophomore midfielder Tristen Sherley (Novato, CA) to make it 4-1 before the break.

In the second half, the Bulldogs controlled possession while maintaining their aggression with quality attacks. Redlands' best chance came from first-year forward Skylar Pogue (Simi Valley, CA), who nearly two-touched a goal from inside the box off of a volley pass from first-year defender Taylor Pisan (Redmond, CA) in the 78th minute.

The Leopards managed one more shot in the 86th that went high, cementing the Maroon and Gray's 4-1 victory.

Overall, four different Bulldogs scored, including Hart, who also registered an assist.

Redlands (4-2-2, 1-0-2 SCIAC) hits the road to face Pomona-Pitzer Colleges on Saturday, September 28 at 11 a.m.