REDLANDS, Calif. – The University of Redlands Women's Soccer team (6-6-1, 2-5 SCIAC) welcomed the defending national champion Regals of California Lutheran University (CLU) to Farquhar Field Saturday. The Bulldogs gave them all they could handle and nearly pulled off an upset but a 38th-minute goal for the Regals was enough for CLU to earn the hard fought road victory.
Shannon Stewart (San Jose, CA) made two important, early saves to keep it scoreless. Then in the 37th a header from a Regal was again stopped by Stewart.
The Regals, though, were able to score the eventual game-winner a minute later as Avery West was allowed to dribble in space without a Bulldog picking her up as she would connect upper-90 past a diving Stewart from just outside the box putting CLU up 1-0 at the break.
There were no Bulldog shots on goal in the first half, nor were there any in the second as the four saves in the second 45:00 minutes for Stewart were not enough to get at least a point.
CJ Akroush (Pasadena, CA) and Natalie Turiace (San Dimas, CA) both led the way with two shots, Sabrina Semmere (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA) had the fifth opportunity.
As a team Redlands got outshot 16-5, including a 9-0 deficit in shots on goal, and an 8-1 corner kick disadvantage. Stewart finished with nine saves playing all 90:00 minutes.
The Bulldogs will now travel to the University of La Verne on Wednesday, October 16 at 7:00 p.m. as they look to get some crucial road points.
