MESA, AZ- The Soka University Women's Soccer team was defeated in overtime by the Benedictine University-Mesa Redhawks 2-1 on Sunday morning at Eagles Park.

The game remained scoreless for the first 70 minutes of play, despite the Lady Lions creating multiple chances through the run of play. It wasn't until the Redhawks' Bella Glavin converted her chance at the 69:45 minute mark to give Benedictine University-Mesa the lead.

Four minutes later, Soka's  first-year midfielder Roxana Ortiz netted the equalizer off of a service from first-year striker Araceli Soto-Garcia. Ortiz buried her shot to level the score, send the game into overtime, and tally her third career goal for the Lady Lions.

With 4:20 remaining on the clock during the first overtime period, Benedictine-Mesa's Alaniz Salas found herself with the ball at her feet. Salas connected with her teammate Madelyn Medina, and Medina placed her shot beyond the reach of Soka's sophomore goalkeeper Ashley Bustamante to lift the Redhawks to their 2-1 victory.

"It was a hard fought and heart breaking overtime loss," said Head Coach David McLeish. "We had our opportunities, and were just inches from putting them away. Overall, we dominated much of the game, and I am very proud of the team and how they played today."

Up next, the Lady Lions will host the University of Saint Katherine Firebirds when they return home to the Lion's Den Soccer Stadium on Friday, Oct. 11, 2019. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
 
 
 


NOTES: This is the third meeting between the Lady Lions and the Redhawks… Soka is now 0-3 against Benedictine… Soka is now 5-5 overall and 1-3 in Cal Pac Conference play… Benedictine outshot Soka 14-9…. Soka's Bustamante made four saves, while Redhawks' goalkeeper Lydia Rankin made five saves on the day... The Lady Lions are ranked 23^rd in the NAIA in shots on goal per game, 31^st in assists per game, 32^nd in shots per game, 40^th in goals per game, and 42^nd in total assists.