LA VERNE, CA — The University of La Verne women's soccer team earned their first win of the season in a physical back-and-forth 2-1 battle against Redlands Wednesday night.
The Leopards notched two second-half goals by
Sienna Cervantes and
Megan Sewell to help lead Head Coach
Jeffrey Joyner to his first career win.
The game started very physical with multiple breakaways on both sides.
The Leopards had a few chances, but tough Redlands defense kept their sheet clean. Sewell had the best chance for La Verne in the first half, but the Redlands goalie Nicole Immoos came sliding in for the save.
The Bulldogs kept forcing their way downfield with a few shots on goal, but Sophia Peñaflor made several clutch saves. The freshman finished with three saves.
That didn't stop the Bulldogs' aggression. They capitalized on a breakaway and scored the first goal of the game just before halftime.
The Leopards came out of halftime ready to play and held more possession. They had five corner kicks within the first 10 minutes and got off three shots on goal. The shots were unsuccessful, but the Leopards stayed persistent.
After a Bulldogs' foul,
Jordan Moody launched the free kick into the box, setting up an opportunity for Sewell to score.
Kailey Kolesar gathered the loose ball, touched it towards Sewell, who found the back of the net to tie the score 1-1 with just over 20 minutes to play.
The energy was high, and the Leopards cashed in again just four minutes later. Moody set up for a corner kick and placed it perfectly to a leaping Cervantes. The junior crashed in and headed the ball through for the go-ahead goal.
The Leopards helped off several late attempts from the Bulldogs to seal the win.
The Leopards move to 1-5-1 overall and 1-2 in the SCIAC. They face off against Cal Lutheran on Saturday, September 26, at 7 p.m. at Ortmayer Stadium.
