KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – Nearly a week removed from what was to be Jessup's original season opener, the Warriors finally took the pitch Thursday morning up in Oregon. Starting the season in the same place they did last year, on the road at Oregon Tech, offense was hard to come by today for Jessup as they dropped game one, 3-0.
 
After the match, head coach Greg Lazaga spoke on where the Warriors struggled Thursday, stating, "Rhythm is the word of the day that we were looking for, and we had none. From the back lines to the top, we were not composed on the ball.  We made easy plays difficult."
 
Starting and playing 90-minutes in goal for the Warriors Thursday was fifth-year player Robert Sams. Sams was a bright spot for the Warriors, as he made several vital saves to keep the Warriors in the match. He would finish the day with five.
 
Sams made his first big save of the day in the 24th minute, facing a two-on-one attack from the Owls. A diving save on a shot by John Sarna thwarted away a likely chance, but the rebound went directly to Jake Mitchell, who slotted home the first goal of the day, putting OIT ahead 1-0.
 
Defensively, the Owls stopped any chance of a Jessup attack in the opening 45-minutes as the Warriors were unable to get a shot off in the first half.
 
Ten minutes into the second half, the Owls netted their second goal of the day to make it 2-0. Oregon Tech pressed into their attacking third, firing off a shot and two corner kicks that Jessup defended successfully. Finally, Anthony Santillan volleyed the ball to himself and placed a shot over Sams for the Owls' second tally.
 
A second yellow card issued to Jessup's Elias Orocio in the 62nd minute put Jessup at a disadvantage, forcing the Warriors to play a man down the remaining 28 minutes. Six minutes after the card, Oregon Tech struck for their third and final goal as Arthur Proost connected off an assist from Andrew Pasang.
 
Jessup's best chance at a goal came with ten minutes left in the match as they were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box. However, the opportunity was blocked by Oregon Tech's wall.
 
The Warriors finished the match being outshot 17-2, with no Jessup chances coming on goal.
 
Lazaga later added, "At the end of the day, we have to play better. Give (Oregon Tech) credit for putting pressure on us. Now we need to solve the problem and stick to basic principles of play."
 
Jessup's next match has been moved from Saturday evening to Friday, with unhealthy air quality expected in the Southern Oregon area. The Warriors will be back on the pitch tomorrow night in Ashland as they take on Southern Oregon University. The match is scheduled for 6 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).