RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Despite not practicing outside all week due to air quality conditions, the University of Redlands Women's Soccer team (3-0-1) held off La Sierra University 2-1 thanks to a goal from Jaiden Riodil (Tigard, OR) and the game-winner from CJ Akroush (Pasadena, CA) in the 88th minute.
Akroush was the first Bulldog to test the Golden Eagle's keeper as she forced a save in the fifth minute. Less than a minute later Natalie Turiace (San Dimas, CA) found Riodil with a perfectly executed through ball putting the U of R up 1-0.
Elena Pinto (Kent, WA), Riodil, and Kelsey Williams (Murrieta, CA) all were able to put shots on frame the remainder of the half, but none were able to connect in order to pad the lead.
Redlands did not allow a shot, let alone a shot on-goal, for nearly 28 minutes to begin the second half, but in the 74th La Sierra found the equalizer.
It took another 14 minutes for the Bulldogs to get a shot attempt off and they made it count as Akroush came through in the 88th to win the game. La Sierra attempted to clear the ball, but it would fall to the feet of Akroush who quickly got around a defender before finishing to the top right corner of the goal.
Of the 22 total shots between the two sides, only eight came in the second half, and only three of the Bulldogs' 13 came in the second 45.
Leading the way offensively was Riodil with a game-high four shots and three on-goal as she logged 67 minutes. Shannon Stewart (San Jose, CA) played the full 90:00 and picked up her third win on the season.
Redlands will have a couple days off before they head to Costa Mesa for a match-up with NCAA Division II Vanguard University on Saturday, September 14 beginning at 1:30 p.m.
