Pueblo, Colo. - As summer winds down and fall approaches, Jessup men's soccer kicked off the 2024 season. The first contest was played in Pueblo, Colorado, against Northwest Nazarene, which ended in a draw and a final score of 1-1.
After 20 years in the NAIA, Jessup is now a Division II institution competing in the PacWest conference. Head coach
Greg Lazaga and his team hope to continue their successful campaign from the 2023 season into the new year. Jessup began their season on the road, traveling to Centennial State for a pre-season competition against the Nighthawks of NNU.
The midweek match-up began with Northwest Nazarene finding the back of the goal early in the first half to put them on top 1-0. The goal was scored in the game's sixth minute to pull NNU ahead early.
Jessup had an opportunity to tie the contest with a penalty kick by
Iven Flores but couldn't find the back of the net. "Iven hits 99 out of 100 pk's. I would go with him again, confident he would put the next one away. Our guys competed well, especially after conceding the goal just a few moments later," said head coach
Greg Lazaga on his team's offensive efforts.
The Warriors didn't waste much time, as they evened the score to one before halftime. The game-tying goal was scored by freshman forward
Jalen Scott. Goalkeeper
Maxx Willard kept the score at one with two saves and one goal allowed in his first contest as a Warrior.
Coach Lazaga continued, "Jalen found some great isolation moments on the side. We had chances until the final minute, and Tariq almost put us ahead. I am looking forward to this group continuing to grow. "
The Warriors continue their road trip in Colorado against Western Oregon University on Saturday morning. Kickoff is scheduled for 9 a.m.
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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).
