SportsSoccer

Women’s soccer takes Tigers by tail in win

Jolene Nacapuy
Sports Editor

Joshua Casey
Staff Writer

The women’s soccer team defeated Occidental, 1-0 Wednesday at Ortmayer Stadium.

An early goal by junior midfielder Maribel Duran in the 18th minute of the first half would prove to be the deciding factor in an exciting game.

It was Duran’s first goal of the season.

The Leopards are now 4-5 overall and 2-3 in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

“I told them two basic things, I told them defensively we have to be better at our pressing, covering and that their team had pace up top,” head coach Lauryn Pehanich said.

“We were doing good with the initial pressure but we weren’t covering.” she said.

In the first half, senior forward JJ Weaver crossed toward the middle of the field and passed it to junior midfielder Carlee Chien.

Chien put in a header into the box toward junior midfielder Kelsea Varner.

Varner attempted to score her second goal of the season, but the ball did not go in, after hitting the top of the goal.

Duran then saw an opportunity and kicked the ball back into the net, scoring for the Leopards.

In the second half of the game, La Verne tried to keep the momentum strong and stay focused, especially defensively.

Occidental attempted to get on the board.

Sophomore forward Julie Khil and senior defender Taryn Ng tried to score a goal, but their shots were too wide left of the net.

“We came out strong in the first half, but then we let up a little in the second half, but we were able to keep it together,” sophomore forward Alexa Smith said.

“It was kind of a sloppy win, but we got the win.” she said.

Defensive coordinations by junior defender Lauren Toneck, sophomore defender Kyndall Taylor and junior midfielder Cassidy Schweiger, kept the Tigers from getting too close to the goal and not being too much of a threat.

Although the score does not show it, the Leopards dominated this game throughout.

“Offensively I told them that we needed to finish games better,” Pehanich said.

The Tigers were only able to get five shots on goal, with only three being real scoring threats.

Senior goalkeeper Delanie Pacheco saved all five shots.

Pacheco has a total of 27 in conference and 38 overall.

La Verne had six shots on goal.

“Improving our offense, we have great movements up top and great chances but we just need to capitalize on them and put teams away when we can,” Pacheco said.

“I’m proud of the defense who put everything on the line today,” she said.

The team will be travel to Redlands Saturday and take on the Bulldogs at 11 a.m. at Farquhar Soccer Field.

Jolene Nacapuy can be reached at jolene.nacapuy@laverne.edu.

Joshua Casey can be reached at joshua.casey@laverne.edu.

Jolene Nacapuy
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