ROCKLIN, Calif. – In a match that showed off a dominant defensive display from Dominican women's soccer, the Penguins improved to 7-1-5 overall and 3-1-1 in Pacific West Conference play after shutting down Jessup and tacking on a goal in each half of the contest. 

Early minutes saw a flurry of throw-ins from both sides, but the Penguins were the ones asserting pressure in the attacking third. DUC earned the first corner kick in just the third minute of the match, forcing the Warriors' goalkeeper Celeste Fernandez to make her first save of the afternoon. 

A key moment came in the 15th minute when Dominican's persistent attacking paid off. Senior defender Megan Clapinski scored the lone goal of the half with a precise shot to the bottom center of the goal, assisted by sophomore forward Ysabella Belandres. This goal gave Dominican a deserved 1-0 lead. Jessup's offense remained mostly quiet, though they managed a promising attempt in the 29th minute when Mandy Thao forced a save from sophomore goalkeeper Michelle Salas Viniegra. However, this was Jessup's only real threat on goal in the half. As the first half concluded, Dominican were up big in chances, but were just up by a lone goal headed into the second period.

Nearly identical in timing compared to their first half score around 15 and a half minutes in, Dominican gained some insurance after being awarded a penalty kick after a foul in the box, and junior forward Janae Schwan was the one to knock in through to get her team up 2-0. The Penguins created four more shots that forced three saves by the Warriors' goalkeeper, while Jessup was unable to get a shot off in the entirety of the second frame. 

The Penguins' 2-0 lead came with a 13-1 shot differential in the match, while Salas Viniegra collected one save on the opponents' lone attempt on net. With the win, Dominican moves into third place in conference play. Next up, DUC will return home for a three-match homestand, beginning with a faceoff against Fresno Pacific on Oct. 20.