FULLERTON, Calif. – After being away from home for four consecutive games, the Warriors closed out this season's longest road trip with a conference matchup in Southern California against the Royals of Hope International University. After going down early, the Warriors battled their way back late to get in contention, but it wasn't enough as they fell by the score of 3-2.
The Warriors did not get off to a very fast start Saturday; at just under six minutes into the contest the Royals found themselves with momentum in their favor. Off a corner, Hope International's Eddie Arellano headed a ball into the right side of the goal to take the early advantage. Arellano found the back of the net once more in the 17th minute when he again headed a ball in off a corner kick.
The Warriors were the more aggressive team on the attack in the opening half, yet despite outshooting their opponents 7-4 the Warriors still found themselves trailing 2-0 at the break. The Royal lead would be extended to 3-0 just four minutes into the second half, as Thales Serra found the upper right corner. The goal was set up by a series of long passes that eventually found Serra in the box.
Finally, in the 62nd minute of play, the Warriors grabbed momentum away from the Royals. Junior Jose Hernandez (Sacramento, CA) passed the ball down the right side to Junior Justin Soria (Rocklin, CA). Soria then crossed the ball to junior Jacob Rodriguez (Pacifica, CA) who found the back of the net for his second goal of the season.
Just under ten minutes after Rodriguez put the Warriors on the board, Jessup took advantage of a Royals' mistake to trim the deficit to just one. After a defensive giveaway, senior Dylan Valentine (Reno, NV) had a one-on-one breakaway with the keeper, and it was Valentine who won the battle. The goal is Valentine's third of the season and second in as many games.
The goal by Valentine with under twenty-minutes to play would be the last the Warriors could score as they finished on the rough end of a 3-2 battle. Offensively Jessup put up a total of 20 shots (8 on goal). In goal for Jessup was senior Zachary Kammerer (Rocklin, CA). Kammerer recorded 3 saves while allowing 3 goals in his 90-minutes of play.
With the loss, Jessup falls to 3-7-1 overall on the season, with their record in conference play sitting at 0-4. The Warriors currently sit in ninth place in the GSAC standings, trailing first place Biola University by 13 points.
The Warriors will continue the season on Thursday when they play host to Arizona Christian University. Thursday's match will be the first match for Jessup at home since Sept. 26, and will be the kick off a four-game homestand. Thursday's match is scheduled to start at 3:00 p.m., after the conclusion of the women's match.
***
William Jessup University is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC). For additional information regarding Jessup Athletics, visit www.jessupathletics.com; visit www.jessup.edu for more information on William Jessup University. Follow Jessup Athletics on social media: William Jessup University Athletics (Facebook), @WJUSports (Twitter), and @JessupAthletics (Instagram, and Snapchat).
