LA MIRADA, Calif. – After a slow start to begin the 2015 GSAC calendar, the Warriors hit the road to Southern California for the second time in a week as they prepared to close off their four game road trip. Ahead of them on Thursday were the Eagles of Biola University, and after a quick start from the Warriors, the Eagles took over and secured the match 4-1.
The Warriors came out pressing at the start as for the first ten minutes they held the ball in their attacking third. Jessup saw a couple early chances, all set up by some very long throw-ins into the box by juniors Jose Hernandez (Sacramento, CA) and Justin Soria (Rocklin, CA). The early attack however could not net anything, as momentum quickly went Biola's way with a goal from Stephen Tanguary in the 24th minute.
While many could have thought the Jessup squad would have hung their heads after surrendering the early goal, it was in fact the opposite of what they did. Just under two-minutes after Biola's goal, the Warriors equaled things up as senior Dylan Valentine (Reno, NV) headed a cross from Soria into the top-right corner.
Jessup looked to have stolen back the momentum with Valentine's equalizer, but they did not steal it for good. In the 29th minute John Hanscom found the back of the net to retake the lead for the Eagles. Four minutes later, the man who had assisted each of Biola's first two goals, Leonardo Contreras, put one in the net himself to take a 3-1 lead into halftime.
As the second half started, Biola continued to keep their foot on the gas pedal. Just over five minutes into the closing half John Hanscom scored his second goal of the day. The goal would be the last one of the match, and for the second consecutive year the Warriors left La Mirada on the wrong side of a 4-1 defeat.
In goal for Jessup Thursday was senior Zachary Kammerer (Rocklin, CA). Kammerer recorded 5 saves in his 90-minutes of play while allowing 4 goals. Offensively, the Warriors took 7 shots in the match, with four of them aiming on frame.
The loss drops the Warriors to 3-6-1 overall on the campaign, while 0-3 and still searching for their first win in GSAC play. Jessup will look to secure that first victory on Saturday when they travel to Fullerton to square off with Hope International University (5-6, 1-3 GSAC). Game time Saturday is set for 2:30 p.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).
