ROCKLIN, CALIF. – The conference season picked up on Thursday as the Warriors of Life Pacific made their visit to Warrior Field. With one set of Warriors looking to continue their push to the postseason, a late equalizer meant that both teams would be leaving the pitch with a point in their pocket.
Jessup, 2-1-1 in conference action, remains in third place on the GSAC table with seven points. The standings will have a different look as the weekend progresses, as matches continue around the conference.
Head coach
Greg Lazaga offered his comments after the match, noting, "We have to raise the level of our finishing ability. Too many opportunities are squandered today. It's that simple."
Thursday's match saw Jessup dominate in the shot column, as Jessup fired off 20 attempts to just seven from their counterparts. Of those 20 shots, only six registered on goal.
No goals would come in the opening half, as the two sides returned to their respective benches knotted up at 0-0. The opening strike would come in the 52nd minute when LPU's Ramiro Piza scored his second goal of the season, putting the visitors ahead 1-0.
Jessup would not back down, however, as the push for an equalizer was on.
The break Jessup needed finally came 80 minutes into the match, set up by a cross that required LPU's goalkeeper to bat the ball away. In a stroke of luck, that ricochet sent the ball to the back post, where
Isaac Morfin was waiting to send his fifth goal of the season over the goal line.
Lazaga spoke about the second-half scoring, adding, "The transition goal against was poor communication and decision-making. We have a good stretch of games coming up where decision-making and communication will make all the difference. Hopefully, we make those steps."
Morfin is tied for second on the Warriors in the goal column, trailing
Diego Nunez, who leads the team with eight.
Paolo Ionescu has also tallied five goals this year.
With the conference season winding down, Jessup now shifts their focus away from the GSAC as next up is a meeting with UC Santa Cruz. The Banana Slugs will visit Warrior Field next week on October 18, a short non-conference break before the Warriors visit Vanguard later that weekend.
Just one GSAC match remains on the home schedule, as Jessup will host Hope International on October 28 for Senior Day. Tickets for all remaining home matches are on sale
HERE.
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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 Jessup University. Follow Jessup Athletics on social media: Jessup University Athletics (Facebook) and @JessupAthletics (Twitter & Instagram).
