THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – The Cal Lutheran women's soccer team opened its 2017 campaign with a 3-1 win against the St. Catherine Wildcats 3-1 Friday night at Rolland Stadium.
"We looked a little nervous to start, but once the game kept moving along we were able to settle down," said head women's soccer coach Frank Marino. "You look at the defense and you got to be proud, they really held it down.
"Overall, there were some great moments and then there were others that we can learn from and get better at. It paints the picture of what we have to do moving forward."
Jordan Miller got the Regals on the board in the 26th minute with a shot to the right side of the goal. Cal Lutheran recorded 10 more shots on goal, but couldn't find the back of the net in the first half.
CLU's defense made the big impact in the first as defenders Olivia Leyva, Riley Martin, Trinity Martinez and Zandra Stewart didn't allow a shot on goal.
St. Catherine bounced back in the second half as Madelyn Conners tied the game at one in the 54th minute.
The Regals answered three minutes later as Kali Youngdahl crossed the ball to Bri Pinal who headed in the go-ahead goal. Cal Lutheran added another goal in the 72nd minute as Miller scored her second goal of the night. Youngdahl tallied her second assist.
Gabby Flores was in goal for the Regals and recorded four saves, including two crucial saves down the final stretch. Altogether, the Regals outshot the Wildcats 23-7.
Stepping onto the field for the first time wearing the Violet and Gold was Sam Cornejo, Flores, Kristen Garrity, Martinez, Abby McHugh, Remi Miller, Hannah Trengove and Katie Weaver.
"It felt really good to get out there with my teammates," said Miller. "We have three captains, but when we are on the field, everyone is a captain. We succeeded because we worked together. When it came to my goals, I got two really good passes. I couldn't have done it without my teammates. This win gives us a positive outlook going into the next game."
Up next CLU travels to the Captain Classic in Newport News, Va. The Regals will take on Christopher Newport and Virginia Wesleyan.
CLU Instagram: http://instagram.com/clusports#
CLU Twitter: https://twitter.com/clusports
CLU Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clusports
Hashtags: #clusports #ownthethrone #goregals #gokingsmen #theSCIAC #ncaad3