University of La Verne

LA VERNE, CA — Natalie Kooba scored her first goal as a Leopard as the University of La Verne women's soccer team opened SCAIC play against Occidental College Wednesday night.

The Leopards battled but couldn't hold off the Tigers, falling 2-1.

Kooba scored a spectacular first goal. In the 58th minute, with the Leopards trailing 1-0, she gathered a pass near the edge of the box, swerved past two defenders, and delivered a perfect shot to the top-right corner of the goal.

The game started very physical. Both teams came out with some fire for their conference opener.

The Leopards made their way downfield and forced two corner kicks, but the Tigers' defenders blocked the following shots.

The Tigers capitalized on a breakaway play and scored the first goal of the game just before halftime.

The Leopards came out of halftime ready to play and earned three corner kicks that set them up for three shots on goal. The Tigers stayed disciplined on defense, stopping both attempts.

Occidental shot seven times on goal in the second half and had another breakaway opportunity. The Tigers got past the Leopard goalie, Sophia Penaflor. But defender Maren Handel came sliding in to block the shot and keep the game even.

Shortly after that blocked shot, the Tigers offense scored off a scramble play, putting them up 2-1 in the 68th minute.

The Leopards move to 0-4-1 overall and will be on the road at Chapman University at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 19.