REDLANDS, Calif. - Ten days after last taking the field, the Cal Lutheran women's soccer team was back in action as the Regals opened Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) play with a 2-1 double overtime victory over Redlands tonight.
During a quiet first half neither team found the back of the net, though the squads would exchange goals in the second half, sending the game into overtime.
Cal Lutheran freshman Katie Moyer scored the first goal of her Regals career in unassisted fashion during the 63rd minute of action to give CLU a 1-0 lead. A bad clearance left the ball at her feet about 20 yards away from the cage.
"I took one look up and realized I had the shot, so I hit it first time near side to the upper corner of the net," she shared after the game.
Unfortunately, Redlands equalized just over 10 minutes later when Savannah Laursen scored on on a direct kick from 25 yard out.
Late in the game both sides battled in an intense competition, but neither team was able to put up a second crooked number before time expired in regulation sending the teams into the extra period tied 1-1.
During the first 10 minute overtime neither team was able to break the tie. It was not until the 103rd minute that senior Kristina Hulse used a sweep pass from the left side of the field near the end-line, across the mouth of the goal to the far right side where junior Taylor Will quickly tapped the ball past the UR goalie for the game-winning goal.
Tonight 17 players stepped on the field for CLU with Will, the defending SCIAC Player of the Year,making her season debut. Bailey Marquez also returned to the starting line-up after missing a few games.
The Regals earned seven corner kicks and allowed just three. Bianca Deardorff continues to lead the offensive attack, firing off three shots tonight. Both Hulse and Moyer took two shots tonight with two and one on goal, respectively. Kristin Bailey played all 102:15 as the Cal Lutheran keeper and saved two shots.
Redlands (0-4-1, 0-1 SCIAC) remained winless despite outshooting CLU 14-10. Pacing the Bulldogs was Laursen who had five overall chances with the only three UR shots on goal.
Looking to set a tone early in the season, the Regals knew what challenge awaited them tonight and they answered the call.
"We went out there and got it done," Moyer went on, "It is a great feeling to know that all our hard work in preseason is paying off. Everyone contributed and I could not think of a more exciting way to kick off SCIAC."
Cal Lutheran (4-2, 1-0 SCIAC) will suit up at home for the first time of the season on Saturday, Sept. 21 at 1:00 p.m. against Whittier.
Box Score: CLU 2, UR 1
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