ROCKLIN, Calif. – The William Jessup University Lady Warriors kicked off the 2015 season in front of their home crowd, knocking off the Raiders of Southern Oregon University by the score of 2-1. Jessup's defense managed to fight off a number of attacks from their opponents and early goals at the start of both halves proved to be the offensive difference maker.
Amber DeAnda (Stockton, CA), a freshman playing in her first collegiate soccer match, netted her first collegiate goal just 11 minutes into Saturday's contest. DeAnda received the ball outside of the 18-yard box, and then rocketed a shot over the keeper's reach to put her side on the board.
"We're excited about (DeAnda)," said head coach Jamie Howard. "If she's playing like this as a freshman, then where's she going to be as a senior?"
The goal came after a series of attacks from the Raiders' offense. Southern Oregon dominated the time of possession to start the match, with the ball spending the majority of the time in their attacking third. However, strong defensive play halted the Raiders from having any shot attempts in that stretch, and it eventually set up the counter attack which led to the season's opening goal.
To start the second half, the Raiders again came out attacking. Five minutes into the half, midfielder Allyson Ward played what looked to be a cross from the left edge of the 18-yard box. Instead, the ball carried over the stretch of Jessup goalkeeper Alison Marlow, finding the back of the net to tie the match.
The match would not stay tied long. Just as in the first half, the Lady Warriors struck within the first 15-minutes of the half when junior midfielder Celia Rangel (Bakersfield, CA) scored the go ahead goal from the outside edge of the 18-yard box. The shot deflected off the back of a Raiders defender, ricocheting the ball into the lower left corner of the goal.
Marlow (Huntington Beach, CA) played a great match in route to her first victory as a Jessup goalkeeper. Marlow stayed composed for all 90-minutes in net, recording 5 saves to keep her side in contention.
"We still have stuff to work, for sure," said Howard who is entering her ninth year at the helm. "If this is our starting point, then I'm excited to see where we go the rest of the season."
The Lady Warriors next take the field on August 26, when they host American River College for a scrimmage. The regular season will get back under way on August 29 when Jessup travels to Redding to square off against former Cal-Pac rivals Simpson University.
