ROCKLIN, Calif. – After finishing a season long four-game road trip over the weekend, the Warriors returned home to begin a season long home stand. In front of the Warriors were the Firestorm of Arizona Christian, and after 90-minutes of all-out attack by the Jessup squad the Warriors left victorious 2-0.
Jessup controlled time of possession for the entirety of the first half, with the ball spending the majority of the time in their own attacking third. Jessup got off a number of chances to crack the scoreboard, including three free kicks taken by sophomore Marrissa Sanders (Sacramento, CA). Unfortunately, Sanders saw her free kicks soar high with two going wide left.
At the intermission, Jessup's dominant play held the Firestorm to zero shots, while the Warrior offense recorded a total of 10 shots (4 on goal). But still, after 45-minutes they had no goals to show for their efforts.
Coming out of halftime, the Warriors continued their attacking ways, but with an added spark to help take over the game. A number of chances were set up by freshman Amber DeAnda (Stockton, CA) who entered the game as a substitute at the start of the second half. In the 59th minute, DeAnda crossed the ball to freshman Yvette Perez (Santa Rosa, CA) in the box, but Perez's headed attempt went over the crossbar. Just over ten minutes later, DeAnda found freshman Hannah Lettington (Orangevale, CA) in the box, but her attempt hit the post.
Finally in the 74th minute of play the Warriors found the back of the net. Perez played a strong cross to Lettington on the right edge of the six-yard box. Lettington turned and ripped a shot into the left inside netting to put her side on the board. Five minutes later, the Warriors scored again. Senior Dulce Espinoza (Lodi, CA) stole the ball away from a Firestorm defender and shot the ball from 20 yards out. The ball rolled past the diving reach of the keeper and clanked off the inside of the right post and into the net.
"The only real change we made was who was playing with who," said coach Jamie Howard on halftime adjustments. "I think we started the game a little frazzled, but as the game went on we started to really calm down. Once the first goal went in we were really able to relax and start playing with some confidence."
The Warriors finished the match outshooting their opponents in dominating fashion 33-2, with a total of 15 Jessup shots aiming on frame. With the win, the Warriors improve to 7-5 overall on the season, and 1-4 in Golden State Athletic Conference play.
"It all depends on if we can stay healthy for the rest of the season," said Howard on the remainder of the GSAC schedule. "When these girls come to play, they can beat anybody. I definitely foresee that we can get a few more conference wins this season."
Jessup continues this four-game home stand on Saturday when they play host to The Master's College. In their previous meeting this season down in Southern California, the Warriors fell by the final score of 2-1. Game time Saturday is slated for 11:00 a.m.
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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).
