IRVINE, CA- The Soka Lions drew with the Warriors of Westcliff University 2-2 on Saturday evening at the OC Great Park, bringing their overall record to 4-6-3 and 2-2-3 in Cal Pac Conference play.  

The Warriors were the first to get on the scoreboard, scoring at the 39th-minute mark. The Lions answered back in the 49^th minute after Kamry Aragon dropped the ball back to Taylor Hampton, who drilled her left-footed shot from 25 yards out over the Warriors' goalkeeper's head, leveling the score 1-1.

In the second half, Westcliff was awarded a penalty kick in the 75^th minute, which they converted to bring the score to 2-1, but the Lions remained relentless and netted the equalizer in the 81st minute. The goal stemmed from a perfectly weighted pass by Alex Bershtein to Aragon on the right flank. Aragon drove her cross second-six to Sabrina Benjamin, who was making the far post run. Benjamin placed her shot first time into the left corner, bringing the final score to 2-2.

"The team had a great performance tonight and definitely got better in the second half," said Head Coach Wendy Espejel. "I was proud of them coming back from being down both times and having the better second half." 
 
Next, Soka will return home to host Simpson University on Friday, October 13, 2023. Kickoff is set for 5:00 p.m.

 
NOTES:  The Lions now sit in seventh place in the Cal Pac Conference standings with nine points… Both Soka and Westcliff took 13 shots each, with Soka putting eight shots on frame and Westcliff putting four on the goal… Soka's Lillian Dukes and Mackinzie Stenstrom combined for two saves.