LA VERNE, Calif. — Tatiana Raygoza scored an equalizer in the in 43rd minute, but the University of La Verne women's soccer team gave up two unanswered goals in the second half as it fell to Pomona-Pitzer, 3-1, on Wednesday night at Ortmayer Stadium.
Raygoza trapped a cross from Kelsea Varner on the right wing and chipped it over Pomona-Pitzer goalkeeper Annie Wedel to tie the game at 1-1 in the closing minutes of the first half.
But the Sagehens ramped the up the pressure to start the second half and broke the tie in the 49th minute as Danika Bethune converted a turning shot on a second ball off a corner kick. Pomona-Pitzer added an insurance marker seven minutes later as Katie Tao drove in a free kick from the edge of the penalty box.
The Leopards had a couple of decent chances to pull one back. Maribel Duran and Varner both had good shots blocked in the field and Lauren Toneck had a good rip from about 25 yards out that sailed just high in the 84th minute.
La Verne goalkeeper Jasmine Valadez made some critical saves late to keep the Leopards in the game. Peri Cuppens, Alyssa Kim and Sofia Barsher all tested Valadez in search of the Sagehens' fourth goal, but Valadez came up big each time. The freshman made a total of five saves.
Bethune opened the scoring in the 16th minute for the Sagehens and finished with four total shots, three of which were on goal.
La Verne slips to 5-3-1 overall and 3-2-0 in SCIAC play. Pomona-Pitzer improves to 5-4-0 and 3-2-0.
La Verne returns to action on Saturday when it hosts Redlands for a match set at 7 p.m.
