HAYWARD, CA - The Jessup Warriors showcased their fighting spirit and tenacity in a 4-1 defeat against the Cal St. East Bay Pioneers. Despite the final score, the Warriors held their own against their opponent, with goalkeeper Celeste Fernandez putting on a clinic, making six saves to keep the game within reach.

Head Coach Amsalu Fantahun reflected, "Today's game was another tough challenge against a strong opponent, but I'm proud of the team for battling until the very end."

Jessup's moment of glory came early in the first half when Mikayla Olariu, a formidable presence on the field, found the back of the net unassisted at the 24:42 mark, her fourth goal of the season. This strike gave the Warriors an early 1-0 lead and energized the team.

The Warriors' defense, led by the outstanding performance of goalkeeper Celeste Fernandez, was under constant pressure. Fernandez was a brick wall, making six crucial saves, including a remarkable three saves in a span of five minutes early in the first half.

The Pioneers managed to tie the game before the half, and while they scored three more goals in the second half, the Warriors never gave up.

"We were in control for a good portion of the match, especially after scoring and taking charge," Fantahun went on to say, "However, a couple of minor mistakes cost us the first two goals, and that threw us off our rhythm for a bit. These are small issues that are easily fixable, and we're already focused on addressing them for the next game. Overall, we're pleased with the progress we've made as a team and look forward to continuing our development moving forward."

The Warriors' defense, anchored by the spirited play of Haylie Rok and Alanna Harrison, battled tirelessly throughout the contest. Both players received yellow cards as they fiercely challenged the Pioneers' relentless attack.
The team now looks ahead to their next test. Jessup will continue their non-conference schedule with a  match against Chico State University next Saturday, September 20th, with an 11AM kickoff.  
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). Read Full Article