SANTA CRUZ, Calif. – A first-half goal from
Tariq Alabi was all the scoring for Jessup on Wednesday, as the preseason concluded with a visit to UC Santa Cruz. In a defensive slugfest for 90 minutes, the Warriors and Banana Slugs both found the net once in a 1-1 draw.
Jessup is now 0-3-3 in their first season competing at the Division II level. UCSC are members of NCAA Division III.
Wednesday concluded a challenging preseason schedule for the Warriors that included four matches away from Rocklin. Jessup also played five of their six non-conference matchups against NCAA opponents.
Jessup's goal came in the 26th minute off a strike from Alabi 20 yards out. The shot was set up from a
Jalen Scott shot that was blocked and ricocheted back to Alabi who took the attempt on his first touch. It's Alabi's first goal with the Warriors, and he becomes the first Jessup player other than Scott to find the back of the net this season.
The Warriors had other chances, as they fired off 12 shots with four registering on frame. UCSC's goalkeeper, Chris Jamrock, totaled three saves in the draw.
Defending the Jessup goal was a trio of Warriors, as
Alonso Ruiz,
Antonio Camacho, and
Maxx Willard all say playing time. Ruiz opened with the first 45 minutes of action, followed by Camach,o who saw 35 minutes of action in the second half. Willard came in for the final ten minutes.
UCSC's goal came against Camacho in the 57th minute.
Jessup's focus now shifts to conference action as the first PacWest season in program history kicks off on Saturday. Coming to Warrior Field for the conference opener is another newcomer to the conference, Vanguard.
Tickets for Saturday's 11 a.m. match are on sale
HERE.
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Jessup University is a provisional member of the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Division II and the PacWest Conference. 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 (Instagram & X).
