REDLANDS, Calif. – The University of Redlands Women's Soccer team opened up their 2022 campaign Thursday night under the lights at Farquhar Field against Westcliff University, and despite battling all night and getting opportunities were unable to pull off the win as they would fall 3-1. 

The Bulldogs conceded an early goal two and a half minutes in when the Warriors' Sarah Taghaboni would finish a cross on the back post with a header that beat UR keeper Courtney Stewart (San Jose, CA). Eight minutes later Westcliff extended the lead to two this time using a corner kick as Marthe Engelstad would finish with a header in front of the goal moving the score to 2-0.

But Redlands did not go away without a fight as Tori Zielinski (Sunnyvale, CA) and Taylor Pisan (Redmond, WA) would pressure the Warriors keeper Taylor Gayer with a pair of shots.  Another three looks would be put on frame by UR, but they still found themselves trailing by two at the break.   

It took only 4:13 for the Bulldogs to cut the deficit in half to begin the second period.  First-Year Natalie Turiace (San Dimas, CA) scored her first collegiate goal in the 50^th minute to get the Bulldogs back into the game. Turiace took advantage of a turnover in possession by the Warriors and took a strike from long range that snuck in right underneath the crossbar.   

Turiace continued to create chances with a shot that got blocked in the 54^th minute. Celine Akroush (Pasadena, CA) then got into the mix getting a shot off from just outside the 18, but her attempt would sail high.  Redlands did get a second goal midway through the period putting together some nice touches and finishing near post, but the goal was waved off due to an offside.     

In the 66^th minute Westcliff stretched the lead back to two when Sierra Rangel was able to finish top shelf from outside the box, getting her shot over the outstretched hand of Stewart.

The Bulldogs continued to push forward with three more attempts in the 73^rd and 74^th minutes but none of them forced a save from the Warriors' keeper. Peyton Fendrich (Clackamas, OR) gave it one last go in the 88^th minute but her look was off frame. 

Offensively the Bulldogs controlled the flow outshooting the Warriors 17-8, which included an 11-1 advantage in the second half.  They also held a 4-1 edge on corner kicks.   

The Bulldogs will get a few days off before a home matchup against Invictus Feminae on Sunday, September 4 at 7:00 p.m., in preparation for a trip to New Jersey for a pair of non-conference games next week.