SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – With two matches left on the schedule, Jessup hit the road for Southern California, needing a pair of wins to make the conference tournament. In a match that sat scoreless for 89 minutes, a goal in the final 60 seconds sent the Warriors packing with a heartbreaking defeat.
 
"I have few words to say after today," said head coach Greg Lazaga after another narrow defeat. "We played well, had chances, defended to plan.  We need more quality in front of goal and we are working on it.  We will continue and learn how to finish games."
 
Jessup remained in Thursday's match due in large part to excellent goalkeeping by Gerardo Perez Plata. In his 90 minutes, Perez Plata recorded nine saves, several of which he had to dive or leap to knock the ball out of harm's way.
 
The lone tally of the match came with 60 seconds left on the clock, as a ball in the box set up an opportunity for Westmont. Winning the chance was Aldo Becerril, scoring his eighth goal of the season to give his side the 1-0 lead with just seconds to play.
 
Thursday's loss drops Jessup to 4-9-3 overall and 1-6-1 within the conference.
 
Sitting on four points in the GSAC, Jessup has now been eliminated from postseason contention. They trail the sixth and final spot in the GSAC Tournament by six points with one match at The Master's, left to play.
 
Lazaga offered one final note after the match, a message of gratitude to Westmont head coach Dave Wolfe who is in his final season in Santa Barbara. "A heavy thank you to Dave Wolfe. He is a class act coach that has led a great program with integrity and I have been greatly honored to coach against him. Many blessings to his next journey."
 
The Warriors and Mustangs will take the field on Saturday at 1:30 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 & Instagram).