Justyn Henriquez
Staff Writer
The women’s soccer team played their final non-conference match against UC Santa Cruz on Saturday at Ortmayer Stadium, a 1-0 loss.
Megan Sewell, senior defender, said the team showed strong defensive moments and created opportunities, but just needed to execute on the goal.
“I think, all around, we had good moments and good pockets,” Sewell said.
She believes the team needs to stay aggressive and continue challenging for the ball.
“I think winning balls in the air and attacking the first challenge is what really sets the tone of the game,” Sewell said.
The Leopards finished their match with 11 shots at the goal and seven corner kicks, while the Banana Slugs had 10 shot attempts, three of them being corner kicks.
The only goal of the match was scored by Santa Cruz junior forward Sharon Alcocer in the 79th minute of the match.
Despite the loss, players saw moments that the team could build on.
Chloe Jimenez, sophomore midfielder, pointed to the team’s passing, ball movement and communication as worthy of building on.
“I don’t think it’s a full reset,” Jimenez said. “I do think that we can take just the simple things, like passing, communication and our movement.”
Putting attention on the foundational elements of the game will only strengthen the Leopards’ core moving into conference play.
Many players viewed this preseason as a chance to see what they can improve on before the regular season begins, including Ryenn Zerbel, senior defender.
“I think our preseason has just been adjusting and learning lessons,” Zerbel said.
Another element they are cultivating is a teamwide effort to maintain a good attitude and consistent energy.
“I think something we are good at is bouncing back,” Zerbel said. “And energy and effort is something we are always gonna give 110% of.”
The Leopards applied consistent pressure throughout the match, with continuous shot attempts, putting the Banana Slugs to work defensively.
Overall, the team’s lack of offensive success and spotty defense was the overarching contribution to the loss.
“There are definitely some times where we were defending really well, and then other moments where we kind of lost our man in the middle,” Sewell said.
Now the Leopards will shift their focus toward the intensity that will come with Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference matches.
“One thing I think and believe our team can do this season is make the conference tournament,” junior midfielder Sofia Chiovare said. “I’m really excited to see what this season brings and to reach our goal.”
Their first conference match was against Occidental on Wednesday at Ortmayer Stadium, which the Leopards lost, 2-1.
The team now travels to Orange to take on Chapman at 11 a.m. Saturday.
Justyn Henriquez can be reached at justyn.henriquez@laverne.edu.
Jasmine Lyn is a sophomore photography major and photography editor for the Campus Times. She is also a staff photographer for La Verne Magazine and a former staff photographer for the Campus Times. Her work can also be found at Jazzylyn.com
