by Scott Mac Kay
Special to the Times
Sophomore Amber Hall summed up the University of La Verne women’s soccer team’s 2-1 victory over Pomona-Pitzer best—“It was a very important game. I’m glad we won but we didn’t play to our full potential.”
That thought was mirrored by all the Leos as they struggled against the heavily defensive Sagehens in the first half of play, unable to connect with the net in 12 shots on goal.
It evoked memories of the last time these two teams met, when La Verne was unable to score on the Sagehens until the final minute of the game to gain the 1-0 victory. None of the players wanted a game that close again.
The first half showed a La Verne team that was creating opportunities for goal, yet could not finish its scoring opportunities. According to Head Coach Wendy Zwissler, the first half was “sloppy and predictable.”
That changed with 23 minutes left in the first half as the Leopards began to play near their capabilities. Several outside shots from junior Jacqui Zwissler and senior Lisa Thomas sailed over the Pomona-Pitzer net, ending the half with a scoreless tie and La Verne looking tired.
During halftime, Coach Zwissler stressed to her team the need for rapid passes on the field, playing the ball after only one or two touches. The instruction must have worked because the team that played in the second half did not resemble the ULV team of the first half.
The Leos started the second half shooting, taking two solid shots within the first minute and a half of play, one hitting the top goal post and the next a close save by Pomona-Pitzer goalie Sakari Morrison. La Verne continued with solid play until the 31 minute mark, when Thomas crossed the ball from 25 yards out on the left side of the field to freshman Angel Mejico, who found the back right side of the Sagehen goal.
Pomona-Pitzer fought back five minutes later when senior Darci Palmquist gained control of the ball deep in La Verne territory. She challenged freshman goalie Kim Marshel alone and powered a shot through her, giving Pomona-Pitzer the equalizing goal.
Hall felt Palmquist had an unfair advantage. “She was so far offsides, I don’t know how he [the linesman] didn’t see it.”
With time running, La Verne had to score on a team that does not give up many goals.
“It’s very hard to score on this team, you’re lucky to score at all,” said Coach Zwissler.
Luck was with La Verne. With 10 minutes left in the game, it found the winning goal, as Jacqui Zwissler put the ball across from the left side of the field to the open right side of the goal, to Mejico, who put La Verne on top 2-1.
Pomona-Pitzer’s best chance came on a corner kick in the final minutes only to be broken up by senior Tori Bare to ensure La Verne’s victory.
The win places La Verne 8-1-1 in conference play, and if it can win its next three games, it stands a chance of earning its first Division III playoff berth.
For Coach Zwissler, the concern is about the final game with Chapman, but she considers every team a threat.
Last Saturday the team defeated Occidental 4-0.
The team is at home tomorrow against Claremont. Game time is 7 p.m.
