ALISO VIEJO, CA- The Soka University Lady Lions fell to the Pioneers of University of Antelope Valley 2-1 on Friday evening at the Lion's Den Soccer Stadium.

The Lions were the first to strike, with junior Kaitlyn Haibel tallying Soka's lone goal of the game at the 1:31 minute mark. The goal originated off a clearance from sophomore Renee Parado's corner kick. The clearance was sent straight to Haibel at the top of the 18-yard box, and Haibel smashed her shot first-time into the near post to give the Lionesses the 1-0 lead.

Antelope Valley's Alyssa Elias netted the equalizer in the 31^st minute of play after getting her head to a rebounded shot off of the crossbar from Kristen Osuna.

Osuna tallied the game winning goal in the 67^th minute, after receiving a pass from Azea Alcaraz outside of the 18-yard box. Osuna took a touch around Soka's goal keeper Camryn Finnell, who did a good job of getting off her line quickly and closing down the space. Osuna slipped her touch past Finnell and slotted her shot low and into the right corner of the goal to provide her side with the 2-1 victory.

"When a team does everything they are asked to do and they do so with every ounce of their energy and still come up short of a win, it is hard to know what to say," said Head Coach David McLeish. 'Our team played their hearts out and should be extremely proud of themselves, despite the final result."

Up next, the Lions will host Sierra Nevada College on Sunday Nov. 3, 2019. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m.
 
 




NOTES: This is the seventh meeting between the Lady Lions and the Pioneers… Soka is not 2-5 against Antelope Valley… The Pioneers outshot the Lions 27-2, and putting 13 shots on frame to Soka's 2… Soka's Finnell and Ashley Bustamante combined for 11 saves on the day.