by Chrissy Zehrbach
Sports Editor
Preseason has been tough for the University of La Verne women’s soccer team, which is still winless after six games.
After a slow start, the Leopards were hoping to find better luck with the start of Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference competition Wednesday night in Whittier.
The trend continued against the Poets, however, when ULV dropped the match 2-1.
ULV put up an aggressive effort, holding the score at 0-0 through the first half.
The Poets took a short lead at the start of the second half. Junior Amy Quesenberry scored the lone ULV goal to tie the game for the Leopards.
With eight minutes to go in the game, Whittier slipped another goal past the Leopards’ defense to take the lead and the game.
The Leopards are having trouble finding the back of the net. They outshot Whittier 11-7, but were unable to take the win.
“It’s frustrating because we can’t seem to score,” head coach Wendy Zwissler said.
Last weekend the Leopards traveled to Northern California to try their luck with two schools outside SCIAC: Cal State Hayward and UC Santa Cruz.
ULV was defeated 3-1 by Santa Cruz, but pulled out a tie in the contest with Hayward.
ULV faced the Banana Slugs Sunday in Santa Cruz. Down at the half, 1-0, the Leopards caught up with a goal early in the second half. Off an assist from senior Ashley Polan, sophomore Courtney Lowry sunk a goal that put ULV back in the game.
Shortly afterward, however, Santa Cruz’ strong offense put away two more goals, clenching the win, 3-1.
Very few shots were taken during the Santa Cruz contest.
“They transitioned quickly and capitalized on their opportunities,” Zwissler said. “We had our opportunities but it didn’t happen for us.”
It was an even more grueling game Friday in Hayward for the Leopards. Competition was fierce for ULV as the Leopards went head to head with the Pioneers.
Both teams fended off the numerous shots taken on the goal, forcing the game into double overtime. The standoff continued and the game was called at a 0-0 tie.
“We had the mindset and we basically dominated the game; unfortunately, we didn’t get the ball in the net,” said Delarie Sutton, senior.
ULV showed its dominance on the field controlling the ball and outshooting Hayward 24-11.
“We had double the shooting opportunities and we still couldn’t get any shots in,” Zwissler said.
ULV stands 0-4-1 on preseason, outscored in five contests 17-5.
“It’s one of the most frustrating preseasons we’ve ever had, especially knowing we have what it takes,” Zwissler said.
“We’re just waiting for the break; we’re waiting for the win,” said AJ Taggart, junior. “We have 11 more games – that’s 11 games to win.”
The Leopards take on Pomona-Pitzer at 11 a.m. Saturday at Ben Hines Field.
