RIVERSIDE, CA – The Fresno Pacific women’s soccer team fell to #1 ranked Cal Baptist University 3-0 Saturday afternoon in GSAC play. The Sunbirds conceded two goals in the first half and one in the second, but were unable to find an answer to the nationally ranked Lancers.
FPU started the match in good form while maintaining possession and created a few chances early on.
However, a mishandled overhead save by Sunbird goalkeeper Catherine Michaelis following a Lancer long service, left the ball at the feet of CBU’s Amanda Lammers who was right in front of a wide open net. Lammers easily converted in the 11th minute to give Cal Baptist the 1-0 lead.
Despite falling behind early, the Sunbirds continued to play with enthusiasm and competitiveness throughout the remainder of the first half.
However, the Lancers again took advantage of an FPU miscue to score in the 39th minute.
CBU’s Jacquelyn Witz pounced on a half chance following a Cal Baptist shot that Michaelis initially saved but had failed to fully secure. Michaelis scrambled to recover the dropped ball and slapped it back out from the FPU goal mouth. Witz was simply first to the ball and made the Sunbirds pay with her first of two goals she would score on the day.
To FPU’s credit, the orange and blue came out strong to open the second half and dominated the first 20 minutes of play against the Lancers.
Fresno Pacific’s Demi Hamilton headed a shot off the post, and Colleen Rooney’s 30 yard blast from the right flank hit the upper left-hand corner of the CBU goalpost. FPU’s Ida Rodriguez and Ashley Sherr also combined to create a number of scoring chances, but were unable to capitalize.
"We really put them under a lot of pressure during the first 20 minutes of the second half which was encouraging," said FPU women's head coach Erik Farfan." We certainly had chances that we could have put away."
After withstanding the pressure, CBU scored in the 67th minute on a nicely placed left-footed shot from 18 yards out by Witz for her second of the day. With the goal, the Lancers secured the 3-0 victory and dashed FPU's hope of a comeback.
"Despite the scoreline, we were pleased with our performance and know that we just need to be a little more focused," added Farfan.
The Sunbirds recorded 8 shots to the Lancers 14, but had a slight edge in corner kicks 3-2.