by Scott Harvey
Staff Writer
What could be a better way to start SCIAC than with a solid win. That’s just what the women’s soccer team did Wednesday beating the University of Redlands 6-1.
The Leopards game on Wednesday was the first for the team since returning from a long road trip that included traveling to Missouri to face DePauw and Washington University and ended in Illinois with North Park and the University of Chicago.
“We are just glad to be home,” said head coach Wendy Zwissler.
Although the team was tired from its trip, it returned home with optimism after winning two of four games and improving its record to 3-2.
“We did well, but nothing matters more than the league games coming up,” said Zwissler.
According to Zwissler, the team couldn’t be more ready for the league games to start.
“We’re excited about our game vs. Redlands. Starting league is what this team has been waiting for and all of the girls want to prove to themselves that they can win the SCIAC Championship,” said Zwissler.
On Wednesday the Leopards started SCIAC play aggressively. La Verne started with the ball, winning the toss and immediately controlling possession of the ball. With one minute gone by in the first half, sophomore fullback Alicia Raygoza fired the first shot on goal in the game. The looping shot barely went wide of the goal, but La Verne immediately got the ball back. Controlling the ball offensively was the key for the Leopards early on as fullback Amber Hall and halfback Jenny Zwissler led the passing game.
La Verne’s passing game got even better when forward Angel Mejico touch passed the ball to Jenny Zwissler who set up Amber Hall for the first goal of the game and the Leopards’ first score.
As the first half progressed, La Verne maintained possession, surprising the Bulldog defenders by setting up impressive runs and displaying beautiful ball movement.
The offense was not the only controlling factor in the first half. The defense too started the game very physically aggressive as senior fullbacks Jamey Hesler and Tori Bare combined strengths to keep the ball in the Redlands zone.
“We had to be physical to beat a team like Redlands,” said Hesler.
Another strength for the Leopards in the first half was goalkeeper Tiffany Hall. With 10 minutes left in the half the Bulldogs rallied and began to gain control of the ball. Redlands forward Aurora Romans moved swiftly through defenders and fired two different times at Hall. The first shot sailed over the crossbar of the goal, but the second was a bullet that was immediately grabbed and pulled in by Hall.
Knowing they had to pick up the pace, the Leopards began showing off their passing and shooting skills again and halfback Jacqui Zwissler set up a number of plays to the La Verne forwards. When teammates couldn’t pick up the slack, Zwissler decided to make a run herself and fired a shot on goal which looped over the goalkeeper’s head and scored the second goal of the game, putting La Verne on top 2-0.
Two minutes later Jenny Zwissler, after stealing the ball from an opposing player, took a shot from beyond the mid-field line. Although the shot did not look powerful enough, forward Angel Mejico was in the goal box and deflected the long shot in, giving the Leopards a 3-0 lead.
The only threatening chance for Redlands was a very close call for goalkeeper Tiffany Hall, when the ball sailed over her head and diving backwards she punched the ball safely out of bounds.
In the second half, although the Bulldogs came out aggressively, they also had trouble with penalties in their own defensive zone.
Using that to their advantage the Leopards began to send many players into the middle of the field in hopes of setting up a good scoring opportunity by way of a penalty kick. Right away the strategy worked and La Verne had a free kick opportunity. The kick was taken by Mejico and was booted to the left side of the goalkeeper improving the Leopard lead to four goals.
Penalties continued to hurt Redlands and with 15 minutes left in the game Jacqui Zwissler fired an indirect penalty kick into the crease. The shot floated toward the right side of the goal and was skillfully directed in by forward Lisa Thomas. Leading 5-0, the Leopards definitely controlled the game.
Soon after Thomas’ goal, and with time ticking away, La Verne continued to fight despite the five goal lead. Sure enough the Leopards did score again on a beautiful team effort between sisters Jacqui and Jenny Zwissler, giving La Verne its last goal of the game and a very impressive lead.
The one lone highlight for the Redlands Bulldogs came with one minute left in the game. After receiving a great pass from mid-fielder Kendra Jarvis, defender Shelby Olmstead punted in the only goal for the team, resulting in the 6-1 final score.
After the game, the mood of the Leopards seemed to be excitement and coach Zwissler was definitely pleased.
The Leopards will host Cal Lutheran tomorrow, in their second league game.
“Our goal is to do well in league, and Cal Lutheran looks to give us the most competition,” said Zwissler.
