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(San Diego, CA) –
The UC Riverside (1-0) women’s soccer team found itself
down two goals to none to Florida Atlantic (0-1) after one
half of play in the San Diego State Tournament. Three second
half goals in a span of two minutes erased the deficit and
gave the Higlanders their first win of the season.
Susanna Lehtinen scored
the first goal of the match, unassisted, in the sixth minute.
23 minutes later, Alicia Tirelli made it a 2-0 Owls lead on
an assist from Jannica Tjeder. Florida Atlantic outshot UCR
7-5 in the first half with only two of the Highlanders’
shots on goal.
The second half was a different
story as UCR shook of any timidness that remained. The match
became more physical, fitting Coach Veronica O’Brien’s
style of play, as the Highlanders posted 10 shots, six on
goal.
O’Brien commented,
“I am very proud of our team, the way they showed the
guts to stay in the game.”
UCR did more than stay in
it, they caught and then passed FAU in only a matter of two
minutes. Freshman Natalie Ducatenzeiler (Temecula HS) scored
her first collegiate goal, unassisted in the 85th minute from
22 yards out. Freshman Pat Brady (La Costa Canyon HS) scored
off a rebound only 28 seconds later with an assist credited
to Letty Villalpando. The game winner came off the foot of
freshman Candis Novis (Murrieta HS) from 24 yards out into
right side on a pass from Tessa Lennala at 86:10.
The Highlanders close out
the San Diego State Tournament with an 11:00 AM matchup with
Toledo on Sunday.
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