ROCKLIN, Calif. – Playing at home Thursday for the first time in over two weeks, the Warriors looked to pick up their first conference victory of 2015. After a great offensive showing, including two quick goals scored in the span of eleven seconds, the Warriors ended the day on top as they defeated the Arizona Christian University Firestorm 4-2.
Jessup got on the board first Thursday as it took them just eleven minutes to do so. Junior Justin Soria (Rocklin, CA) dribbled inside the right-edge of the box and crossed the ball to freshman Conner Entz (Auburn, CA). On his first touch, Entz found the back of the net to take the lead. The lead did not last long, however, as in the 23rd minute the Firestorm scored to even things up.
To start the second half, the Warriors went on an all-out attack and quickly retook the lead. Just three minutes into the closing frame, senior Dylan Valentine (Reno, NV) put one in the back of the net to give Jessup a 2-1 advantage. The goal was Valentine's fourth of the season. The attack didn't stop there, as just eleven seconds later junior Jose Hernandez scored on a breakaway to make the score 3-1. The goal was Hernandez's first of the year.
In the 60th minute of play, Jessup found the goal once more to give themselves a three goal cushion. Freshman Adolfo Guzman (Las Vegas, NV) fired a rocket of a shot from 25 yards out that went past the goalkeeper and into the net for his first collegiate goal. The Firestorm would add a goal late in the 89th minute, but that would be all in Jessup's key 4-2 victory.
In goal for the Warriors Thursday was senior Zachary Kammerer (Rocklin, CA). Kammerer recorded 6 saves in 75 minutes of play before being substituted for junior Nick Schnable (Rocklin, CA), who made his season debut in Thursday's victory.
Jessup improves their overall record on the 2015 season to 4-7-1. The win was the Warriors' first conference victory of the season, as their record in GSAC play sits at 1-4. Jessup is now tied with Arizona Christian for eighth place in the GSAC standings.
"The guys deserved this win today," said coach Robbie Handy. "To be able to get the momentum early with that first goal was very beneficial. It allowed us to play like more of a relaxed group. To our guys' credit, they stuck to it and followed the game plan."
The Warriors will look to continue this strong offensive showing when they play host the nation's 17th ranked team, The Master's College. That game is scheduled for Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
"If we can piece things together and get some momentum on the offensive side, I think we'll be okay," said Handy on playing The Master's College. "I don't think we're the favorite, but Master's has to play on our field and prove why they think they're better."
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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).
