Photo by: Sydney Nakagawa
CLAREMONT, Calif.- The University of Redlands Women's Soccer team opened up their 2021 season with a tight 2-1 loss to No. 3 Pomona-Pitzer.
Following a strong pre-season schedule, which included match-ups against Rio Hondo College, International Club Atletico, and Cal State San Marcos the Bulldogs came into Wednesday night's match-up ready for a battle.
With this contest being played as non-conference it acts as a warm-up for the upcoming Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) schedule, where this match-up will be a key conference game later this season. It also provided additional confidence for the Bulldogs considering they were tied with less than 30 minutes left against the one of the top teams in the country.
Redlands gave the Sagehens all they could handle eventually falling in the 74th minute. The defense stood tough all night holding the PP offense to 12 shots and a mere one corner kick. The Bulldogs despite having three looks only had one on frame, while not winning any corner kicks.
Between the posts Bulldog keeper Courtney Stewart (San Jose, CA) faced 12 shots and turned away three as she played all 90:00.
In the 18th minute the Sagehens struck first with an unassisted goal from Hannah Mandell. But that lead was short-lived as Eva Vlassopoulos (Portland, OR) would find the equalizer on UR's first shot of the game. Tristen Sherley (Novato, CA) sent a long free kick into the penalty area for the Bulldogs, which was misread by Sagehen keeper Naomi Meurice. With the ball loose Vlassopoulos was able to take advantage crashing on the ball for the score.
In the 35th minute the Sagehens had an opportunity to go in front right before the half putting a ball on frame but Stewart came up clutch with one of her three saves on the evening. Out of the break the Sagehens continued their advance but the Bulldogs defense stood tough led by another two outstanding saves by Stewart, the last coming in the 63rd minute that kept the game deadlocked with 27 minutes left.
But in the 74th minute the Sagehens would break through finding the eventual game winner this time from Charlotte Tapp as she would send the Sagehens to the 2-1 victory
Redlands make their regular season home debut with a non-conference game against La Verne this Saturday, September 4 beginning at 7:00pm.