SANTA CLARIA, Calif. – Back on the pitch after their shutout victory this past Friday, the Warriors began the conference season Thursday morning with a fixture against The Master's University. After a second-half equalizer brought Jessup new life, quick goals ended Jessup on the wrong end of a 3-1 defeat.
 
A significant factor in the game Thursday was the wind, as crosses and through balls continued to sail long or out of bounds due to the heavy gusts. One such example came on a breakaway from Alhan Bakideh, where she crossed a ball to the back post that easily could have set up a goal had the wind not taken the ball out of play.
 
Master's recorded their first goal of the day in the 29th minute. After goalkeeper Emma Whigam charged out to thwart away a potential attack, the ball rebounded to Elizabeth Radmilovich, who scored to put her team up 1-0.
 
A bit of luck would help Jessup in the 54th minute as an own goal evened the game at 1-1. In an attempt to clear the ball out of the box after a shot by Madison Leonhardt, the Mustang clearance attempt hit a teammate and bounced into the net.
 
TMU wasted no time recovering from the gaff, as less than 60 seconds later, they had retaken the lead on a goal from Kyndal Borman. Borman scored again five minutes later off an assist from Radmilovich to lock the game at 3-1.
 
Jessup's second-half showing was stronger than that of the first half, as they produced six second-half shorts to just two in the first. The opening 45 minutes for Jessup were built around counterattack opportunities, with TMU controlling possession.
 
In goal for Jessup was Whigam. Playing a full 90 minutes, she recorded two saves while allowing the three goals. On the opposite side, goalkeeper Emy Ramirez recorded four saves for the Mustangs.
 
Thursday's loss drops Jessup to 1-4 on the season, with their conference record now sitting at 0-1. The Mustangs move to 4-2-1 overall win the win, 1-0 in the GSAC.
 
Next on the schedule for the Warriors is an exhibition at NCAA Division I Sacramento State on Saturday afternoon. The matchup on Hornet Field will not be televised, and it will begin at 1 p.m.
   
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) and @JessupAthletics (Twitter and Instagram).