Box Score RIVERSIDE, Calif. — Sophomore goalkeeper
Megan Herring made 10 saves, but a single goal by league-leading Cal Baptist put the Dominican University of California women's soccer team on the losing end of a 1-0 decision in Pacific West Conference play.
Though the Lady Penguins (2-5-0/0-3-0) gave the PacWest's first-place team all it could handle at home, the Lancers (7-1-1/3-0-1) prevailed by launching 25 shots – their league-leading average – to hand Dominican its third one-goal defeat this season.
“It's a little frustrating in the sense that we're putting ourselves in position to win,” said Dominican Director of Soccer
Jon Delano. “We need to find a way to increase our opportunities. One thing we need to do is stop waiting for the perfect opportunity and be more selfish.”
Defensively, the Penguins looked solid.
Carrie Freyer made her first start of the season and combined with
Katie Brown,
Megan Hanson and
Emily Whitaker, along with
Kathryn Ripple, to help shield the back third on the field.
Herring, who entered the game fourth among PacWest goalkeepers with a .757 save percentage, ought to move up in the rankings after stopping 10 of 11 shots. Her 10 saves were more than double her average saves per game (4.67).
“Megs is a very good goalkeeper,” said Delano. “She does everything well and nothing poorly.”
In a scoreless battle against Cal Baptist, the Lady Penguins had three decent scoring opportunities in the first half but their shots missed the mark.
Julianna Bratsberg had a shot blocked and later set up
Tori Selesia with a beautiful through ball that Selesia shot high.
Lexi Humphry subbed into the game and kicked a shot wide.
Four minutes later, the Lancers broke the tie as Fabiola da Silva, who had a game-high seven shots, scored to make it 1-0 at the 43:37 mark, less than two minutes before halftime.
Dominican did not record a shot on goal in the game or a single shot in the second half when Cal Baptist had 13.
“We weren't dangerous enough going forward,” said Delano.
Dominican returns home to play Chaminade in PacWest play on Thursday. Game time is 2:00 p.m. at Forest Meadows Field.
