Women's Soccer Victorious In Home Opener, 1-0, Over Oregon

Friday, September 1

Riverside, CA

UC Riverside

Oregon

Women's Soccer Victorious In Home Opener, 1-0, Over Oregon

9/1/2006 5:13:00 PM | Women's Soccer

UC Riverside 1, Oregon 0 - Box Score

Riverside—Sophomore forward Tessa Lennala scored the game’s only goal to lift UC Riverside to a 1-0 victory over visiting University of Oregon in the Highlanders’ home opener Friday afternoon at the UCR Soccer Stadium. UCR wins its second consecutive match to improve to 2-1-0 while the Ducks fall to 0-2-0.

In a very physical game played in temperatures reaching the mid-90s, Lennala’s strike in the 10th minute proved the decider. After a scramble of headers, junior forward Jenna Leonti headed down to junior midfielder Jill Del Rosario outside the box. Del Rosario looped a pass over the top of the defense, finding Lennala, who deftly controlled the ball with her left foot and turned in one motion to beat her defender. Lennala then slotted a right-footed shot past diving OU goalkeeper Jessie Chatfield to give the Highlanders the lead. It was Lennala’s first goal at UCR after transfering from the University of Miami (Fl.) in January.

It seemed as if the heat got to the Ducks midway through the second half but they found some extra energy in reserve to put the Highlanders on their heels. Oregon outshot UCR 21-15, including 16-6 in the second half, but many were from long-range.

UCR maintained its lead thanks to gritty defense and some outstanding saves from senior goalie Tawny Poggio. She came up big on three occasions, though, stopping a one-on-one from Nicole Garbin in the 77th minute, then a Garbin header, followed by a long-range effort from Danielle Sweeney with three minutes remaining.

Poggio finished the day with 12 saves, the third-highest single-game total in school history and one shy of her school record. It was also her 25th career shutout, leaving her three away from the Big West Conference mark.

The Highlanders had their opportunities to put the game away, as well, but Chatfield was up to the task. Freshman forward Jen Bunch had the clearest chance, gaining a break-away in the 81st minute but Chatfield dove to her left to preserve the 1-0 scoreline. Chatfield ended the game with nine saves.

With the victory, UCR improves to 5-1-0 all-time in its home openers. The Highlanders have not lost their first home game of the season since 2002 and have won four in a row. This was UCR’s first meeting against Oregon and its first match against a Pac-10 school.