SANTA CLARITA, Calif. – For the first time since 2018, Jessup found themselves in the conference tournament as they drew the Mustangs of The Master's University. With a late lead in hand, a trip to the semifinals looked to be a formality until two goals in under 20 seconds rapidly flipped the script as the Warriors ultimately saw their season come to an end.
The Warriors, who wrap up their eighth season under coach
Greg Lazaga, close the campaign with an overall record of 7-8-4.
TMU got on the board first with a goal in the 41st minute to send Jessup into halftime down 1-0. The equalizer would come soon after the break as six minutes into the second half,
Diego Nunez converted on a breakaway to even the score at one.
After 13 minutes of level play, Jessup would find the net again, giving them a 2-1 advantage. Senior
Donovan Carrillo whipped a corner into the box that perfectly found the head of
Isaac Morfin for the go-ahead score.
Jessup then led the lead for 25 minutes, putting them 70 seconds away from victory.
But the Mustangs had other plans.
With the 90th minute closing in, TMU's Kai Terentieff turned a Paul Kopp pass into an equalizer, and the Mustangs were not done yet. Twenty seconds later, Matt Picht scored the goal to end Jessup's season as the Mustangs took a 3-2 lead with 50 seconds on the clock.
"Terrible way for this one to end for us," said Lazaga. "It hurts. But I love my team. Our seniors are really special. I'm proud of each one. Our underclassmen are special men. Extremely grateful for each one."
Jessup was appearing in their first conference tournament since 2018, and had they won, they would have advanced to the semifinals in Atherton. The Mustangs will now make the trip to Northern California as one of four remaining GSAC teams.
Saturday brings to an end the Jessup careers of seniors
Elisha Burbridge,
Gerardo Perez Plata,
Chris Hackney,
Marcus Tovar,
Luis Castillo, and
Donovan Carrillo.
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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).
