SportsSoccer

Strikers remain on winning path

Sophomore midfielder Amber Hall (#3) gets the pass by Redlands defender Eda Canales in the Leos’ 4-0 victory over the Bulldogs on Saturday. La Verne is only one game behind Cal Lu in the conference standings. / photo by Annette Gutierrez
Sophomore midfielder Amber Hall (#3) gets the pass by Redlands defender Eda Canales in the Leos’ 4-0 victory over the Bulldogs on Saturday. La Verne is only one game behind Cal Lu in the conference standings. / photo by Annette Gutierrez

by Christie Reed
Editorial Director

Kicking its way to the top with a total 48 shots, four goals and two assists in last Saturday’s game was enough for the ULV women’s soccer team to walk away with a win against the scoreless Redlands Bulldogs.

The Leos won despite the fact that Head Coach Wendy Zwissler said her team did not play up to its potential.

“We need more shots and more teamwork,” said Coach Zwissler, “but a coach is always more critical of their team.”

Last week after defeating the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Athenas the team discovered two new motivations.

The women were informed that they were ranked 22nd in the nation, and this served as a slight ego boost, said freshman goal keeper Kim Marshel, after the Redlands victory.

The game last Saturday was also the last one of the first half of the season and the women wanted to end it with a victory.

This is just what the Leopards did. A scoring attempt by junior Jacqui Zwissler within the first minute of play set the tone for the entire match. Another attempt by Zwissler with 36 minutes left on the clock rolled along the top of the goal, but failed to enter the net. The Leopards had constant possession of the ball and a number of chances to score, but only managed two goals in the first half, leaving the score 2-0.

La Verne’s scoring began with nearly 23 minutes left in the first half. Senior Lisa Thomas took the ball from Redlands player, Shelby Olmstead, and pushed it towards the goal. Redlands goalie Tiffany Alvis came out of the box in an attempt to stop the ball, but left the goal open for Thomas to kick it to the left of the goalie and into the upper portion of the net.

The first successful goal of the game was quickly followed by two more attempts at 20 and 18 minutes, as the Leopards kept pressure on the Redlands’ goalie throughout the match. One attempt was caught by the goalie, and another was a cross from Zwissler which resulted in a shot over the goal by Thomas.

An additional attempt by junior Ana Delgado appeared to fans to be a goal in the upper portion of the net but was deflected, another unsuccessful attempt by the Leopards.

Junior Jennifer Zwissler made the second goal of the half with 3:50 left on the clock. From the far left, Zwissler scored off of a direct, free kick.

Becoming too aggressive for only a minute, senior Wendy Rockenbaugh was penalized for tackling Redlands’ Olmstead from behind. The Bulldogs missed their best opportunity to score in the first half, when Marshel stopped the penalty kick.

“We came off strong with me saving the p.k.,”said Marshel. “We just wanted to come out and play hard in the second half, also.”

A repeat of the first half, the second half resulted in a weak performance by the Bulldogs and possession of the game by the Leopards. The ball remained on La Verne’s half of the field with a few minor penalties against ULV.

After a solo attempt by Jacqui Zwissler, 24 minutes into the second half, the third goal for ULV was scored by Delgado. A cross from Jacqui Zwissler to Thomas was blocked by the goalie. She could not control the ball once it was blocked and Delgado pushed it in.

Just minutes later, Jacqui Zwissler took control once again, with an assist by freshman Angel Mejico. A strong kick right down the middle at the 19 minute mark left the score 4-0.

The remainder of the half consisted of attempts by both sides to gain possession of the ball. The Leopards once again won the battle, making attempts at 14, 13, 11 and six minute marks, which helped time expire but resulted in no additional goals.

“They (the team) played average,” said Coach Zwissler. “They need to learn to put the pressure on always, not just until they score a couple goals.”

The team also felt its performance was not as good as it should have been.

“We were frustrated at the half because we knew we could play better,” said Marshel. “We are five times to 10 times better than this team.”

Jacqui Zwissler took a more positive outlook on their performance.

“We are playing focused, good ball. We’re strong and ready to take on a challenge and our biggest challenge is Cal Lu. They are keeping us from being the best in the west,” said Zwissler.

The Leos had a bye on Wednesday and travel to Whittier tomorrow for an 11 a.m. contest. On Wednesday, they travel to Cal Lu for one of their most important matches of the season.

Christie Reed, Editor in Chief
Christie Reed
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