LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Sept. 23, 2009) – Occidental appeared to dominate the majority of the game today on the Lower Soccer Field, however a pair of costly defensive breakdowns allowed the Cal Lutheran University women's soccer team to score a pair of goals and take the upper hand, winning 2-1 on a hot day in Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference action.

From the very moment following the kickoff the Tigers attacked the Cal Lutheran goal almost persistently. Freshman Lei Song and junior Jesi Sasaki started as forwards for the first half and came close several times to scoring against the opposing keeper combining for three shots in total, Sasaki nearly kicking the ball into the back of the net twice on her own.

A free kick in favor of Oxy near the Regals' goal put the Tigers up 1-0 only five minutes into the game. The kick, a beautiful arc by Liz Martin, landed just within the goal area where the awaiting Corrine Winkler lunged forward to meet the ball and place it just beyond the keeper's reach.

Following the goal, the Regal defense appeared to step up their game, and although Oxy maintained the ball most of the time, the opposing defense allowed very few dangerous shots on goal. Cal Lutheran, in turn, rejuvenated their attack scoring their first goal against keeper Robin Feldman at the 23^rd minute. As Feldman leapt to catch a ball in the air, she appeared to land somewhat awkwardly, forcing the ball out of her hands allowing Brittany Clark to squeak the ball into the back of the Tiger goal. As it rolled in, junior Season Falkler-Rodriguez chased it down in a vain effort to the save the Tigers from the CLU score.

On her part, Falkler-Rodriguez played another magnificent game along with the rest of the Tiger defense as they stifled the Regal offense and prevented most attacks by Cal Lutheran. Despite this, the Cal Lutheran forwards reached the goal one more time. Feldman dove to elegantly save a shot by the Regals, but as the ball ricocheted back into play, Cal Lutheran's Rebakah Casas stepped forward to shoot it back into the goal putting the Regals up 2-1 at the 71^st minute.

For their next match, Occidental (2-2, 1-2 SCIAC) will host Pomona-Pitzer (2-4, 1-2 SCIAC) on the Lower Soccer Field this Saturday, September 26^th at 11:00 am for their third SCIAC game.

Article: Marco Castanos, Student Reporter