COSTA MESA, Calif. – The University of Redlands Women's Soccer team (3-1-1) suffered their first loss of the season Saturday afternoon as they fell 2-0 at Vanguard University. Vanguard, the former longtime member of the NAIA, moved up to NCAA Division II this year.
The Bulldogs were first to get a shot off as Gianna Alati (Lake Oswego, OR) had an attempt in the first two minutes. Then after Shannon Stewart (San Jose, CA) made a save, CJ Akroush (Pasadena, CA) got a look but missed the target.
After almost 30 minutes of no shots being taken, Akroush then tested the Lion keeper who was able to make the save. With less than two minutes left in the half Elena Pinto (Kent, WA) then put a shot on target but it was again stopped as the two sides went into the break scoreless.
The second half got off to a tough start for the Maroon and Grey as the Lions scored only seven seconds after the opening whistle.
Despite falling behind, Averie Stunz (Stanwood, WA) and the Bulldogs came right back forcing a save from the Vanguard keeper.
Unfortunately for Redlands they were never able to consistently get into the final third as they only recorded two more shots the rest of the game. Those looks came from Merae Hummer (Eagle, ID) and Kelsey Williams (Murrieta, CA).
Redlands was outshot 16-7 for the game and was edged 5-3 on corner kicks. Stewart finished with saves playing all 90:00 minutes and Akroush provided two shots.
The Bulldogs will now turn to their Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) opener against Chapman University on the road next Wednesday, September 18 beginning at 4:00 p.m.
