While capitalizing on opportunities for progress, the University of Redlands women's soccer team endured a challenging season that concluded with a 6-8-3 overall mark and a 3-6-3 result in Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) competition for sixth place. Amidst the highs of amazing wins and the struggles behind heartbreaking losses, the Bulldogs created success with inaugural on-field accomplishments and various individual awards, all of which bodes well for the future of the Maroon and Gray.
The Bulldogs opened the 2019 season with an impressive three-game win streak over unfamiliar foes in non-conference action. The first victory came against then-No. 18 Illinois Wesleyan University in a 2-1, come-from-behind showing on Farquhar Field. After the Titans found the back of the net in the 19th minute, Redlands gained the equalizer on senior forward Gabby Hart's (Burien, WA) one-on-one opportunity late in the first half. Following first-year goalkeeper Courtney Stewart's (San Jose, CA) point-blank save earlier in the second stanza, the Bulldogs made the most of the momentum shift with the eventual game-winner in the 73rd minute. Junior forward Emily Falla (Woodinville, WA) settled the ball in the center of the field and tapped it to sophomore midfielder Tristen Sherley (Novato, CA), who blasted it in for the first goal of her career.
Next up, Redlands rolled to a 4-1 win over Johnson & Wales University (CO), with junior midfielder Eva Vlassopoulos (Portland, OR) starring in the offensive show with two second-half goals. Furthermore, first-year defender Taylor Pisan (Redmond, WA) and first-year midfielder Peyton Fendrich (Happy Valley, OR) each broke through for their inaugural goals as Bulldogs. Defensively, the Maroon and Gray allowed only three shots to highlight the dominant display of the backline.
Redlands' hot start continued with a 2-1 edging of Willamette University (OR) on September 6. The career-firsts also remained at the forefront, as senior forward Skyla Wilson (Palm Desert, CA) and sophomore midfielder Nolan Mendonca (San Diego, CA) each recorded inaugural goals.
Following back-to-back losses, the Bulldogs responded by mustering a pair of draws and a win in conference competition. In a 1-1 tie against Occidental College, the Maroon and Gray constructed a beautiful sequence that resulted in Falla's perfect finish for the early 1-0 lead. It all began when sophomore midfielder Charlie Baum (Hesperia, CA) switched the field to Wilson, who connected with senior forward Alexa Groesser (Denver, CO). After Groesser slipped a through-ball toward the end line, senior defender Bria Bowton (Spokane, WA) turned and crossed it into the box, where Falla completed the score. Although Oxy immediately answered off a scrum, Stewart and senior goalkeeper Brittany Dinkins (Renton, CA) combined for 12 saves in the extended match to preserve the hard-fought tie.
After a scoreless draw with Whittier College, the Bulldogs' offense lit up the scoreboard on September 25 in a dominating 4-1 display over the University of La Verne. The senior tandem of Groesser and Hart put Redlands up just six minutes into the game, as Hart blasted an upper-90 goal from 16 yards away off Grosser's pass. Falla, Mendonca, and Sherley each put one in the back of the net before the end of the first half en route to the Maroon and Gray's solid win.
Although the tables turned on Redlands in a loss to Pomona-Pitzer Colleges, the squad battled back to earn a tie against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges on Faculty Appreciation Night. After the Athenas' early goal, the Bulldogs refused to go away and their persistence paid off with the equalizer in the 84th minute. Junior defender Abby Nordquist (Gig Harbor, WA) settled the ball near midfield and sent it forward to Pisan down the left flank. Pisan bettered her position before unleashing a rocket from 20 yards out to even the score at one apiece.
Redlands gained another positive result with a lucrative second half against the Caltech Beavers that led to a 2-0 win. Falla provided the assist on Vlassopoulos' goal in the 48th minute before making the most of her own offensive run less than 15 minutes later.
However, the Bulldogs suffered tight, one-goal losses in four of their next five conference matches. During this span, sophomore defender Ashley Holbrook (Moraga, CA) provided a significant bright spot by notching the first goal of her Redlands career, while Vlassopoulos and Groesser each registered a goal and an assist.
The Redlands women's soccer team celebrated Senior Day with a 4-2 win over Whittier on November 2, giving the graduating members an excellent sendoff from their respective careers. Despite facing a 1-2 deficit, the Bulldogs responded with three goals in a 10-minute span in the second half. First, Falla banged in a shot off Hart's assist in the 57th minute. Less than three minutes later, Bowton beat her defender and sent a well-placed cross in front of the goal for Falla to finish for the eventual game-winner. Finally, senior forward Bryn Anderson (Tahoe City, CA) stole the ball at midfield and distributed a long ball over the Poet defense to Vlassopoulos, who forced the Whittier goalkeeper out of the box for the insurance goal on an empty net.
Although the on-field season ended there, the Bulldogs gained more reasons to celebrate with the announcement of various individual awards. First, Nordquist represented Redlands among the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District Team for her athletic and scholarly achievements. Also, Falla landed on the All-SCIAC First Team, while sophomore defender Rilee Mezenen (Salt Lake City, UT), Vlassopoulos, and Groesser earned Second-Team recognition. Finally, Falla collected her inaugural United Soccer Coaches All-West Region award as a member of the Third Team.
With highlight-reel goals, miraculous saves, and plenty of Bulldog spirit, the Redlands women's soccer team battled through an up-and-down season. Despite the loss of a talented senior class, the team holds high hopes for the future as it returns a hearty crew of contributors that sets the tone for a return to the top half of the conference and beyond.