ROCKLIN, Calif. – The William Jessup University women's soccer team (11-7, 4-6) made a heroic push to enter into the GSAC playoffs winning three consecutive conference games but came just short after losing their fourth game to 12th ranked Vanguard University (13-4-1, 7-2-1) by a score of 1-5.
Vanguard began their offensive attack early in the game. After making a number of great stops but failing to clear the ball, Jessup's defense gave up a throw deep in their corner. Vanguard used the situation to set up a cross to a headed goal taking an early lead in the sixth minute.
The Warriors would generate some positive offense immediately following the goal with several corner kicks. Jessup managed to find a couple open looks at goal the best of which came from Kailee Soares (Antioch, CA) who sent a curving ball toward the upper left corner but was denied by a fingertip save from Vanguard's keep.
It would be the Lions who would again find the goal next taking advantage of a counterattack and threading a through ball past the Jessup defense to a cross and a second headed goal by Vanguard. Later in the half, Jessup would deflect a shot off a Lion's corner kick but Vanguard would be waiting to collect the ball and send it into the net in the 35th minute.
Vanguard would grab another goal in the second half but to the Warriors credit they continued to fight throughout the game. Their work did pay off in the form of a goal in the 78th minute when Janelle Schuette (La Puenta, CA) received a cross from Cierra Munoz (Las Vegas, NV) and sent a bullet into the back left side of goal. The effort would not be enough to put Jessup back in the game; however, and the Warriors would succumb to a 1-5 defeat.
The Warriors managed to release 11 shots on the day with four falling inside the frame, not far behind Vanguard who made 16 attempts with nine aimed inside the goal. Each goalkeeper recorded four saves by the final horn.
"We lost but the score didn't reflect the game," said head Jessup coach Jamie Howard. "We were close in our shot count. We had some unfortunate defensive errors and Vanguard did a good job of capitalizing on them. I am proud of the girls and the season we had. We are a very young team and look forward to next season."
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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), @JessupAthletics (Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat).
