Late Goals Spoil Women's Soccer Season Opener

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — JJ Weaver opened the University of La Verne women's soccer team's 2014 scoring with a brace in the 11^th minute to put the Leopards up early, but Pacific (Ore.) came through with a pair of late goals to beat La Verne, 2-1, in the season opener at the inaugural Best Western Thousand Oaks Inn Classic, hosted by Cal Lutheran.

How it happened: After Pacific's Kamryn Plechot tied the game at 1-1 in the 84^th minute on a pass from Lucy Almao, the Boxers drew a penalty just two minutes later to give themselves a shot at completing the comeback. McKenna Davidson then put the spot kick in the back of the net to secure the win for Pacific.

Just missed: Cassidy Schweiger hit the crossbar in the 54th minute after she collected a rebound off a shot by Kelsea Varner. A goal would have given the Leopards a two-goal cushion.

Players of the game: Weaver carried her strong preseason performance over to the first regular season game of the year. The senior midfielder is already just one goal away from matching her output (2) from last season.

Varner also carried her preseason momentum into the regular season. Varner, who scored her first two goals as a Leopard against Antelope Valley in a scrimmage earlier in the week, had the assist on Weaver's goal and put a shot on goal as well.

Stat of the game: La Verne controlled the pace of the game for nearly the entire game, holding Pacific to just four shots before allowing the two late goals. Neither team could get much going offensively, registering just six shots each. La Verne goalkeeper Delanie Pacheco made two saves while Kristina Morris turned away three shots for Pacific.

Up next: The Leopards will get a chance to bounce back quickly as they host Benedictine (Ill.) on Sunday at 7 p.m. at the Ortmayer Stadium for the home opener.