September 24, 2004
No Mercy for the Dominican Penguins

SANTA CRUZ, CA -- Yesterday marked the first day of classes here at UC Santa Cruz, and the UCSC Women’s soccer team (6-2-1) showed what it means to be a DIII student-athlete. With the beginning of the school year comes a lot of chaos, but the Slug women were able to step out on that field with nothing but focus. Lead by the experience and determination of the upperclassmen, it was Junior Lauren Philibosian that got the Slugs off to a quick start. She scored 2 unassisted goals, the first coming in the 14th minute her second goal came a mere two minutes later. From that point on, the Dominican Penguins were on their heels as the Slugs took 18 total shots on goal.

In the second half, it was Senior Captain Gina Ramirez that started things off for the Slugs, after a Dominican defender deflected the ball Ramirez was in the box to put one in the near side past the Penguins goalie. The next goal in the 76th minute showed how well this team has been clicking together as the Slugs used perfect ball movement to bring it up the right side of the field setting up Sophomore Claire Gustafson for her 3rd assist this season. Gustafson sent a perfect cross from the corner over to Caitlin Carpenter, who headed it into the back of the net for her 5th goal this year.

The Dominican defense simply had no answers for the Slug offense.

Claire Gustafson was able to get another assist only a minute and a half later when she set up Senior Captain Skye Vendt-Pearce from about 20 yards out as Vendt-Pearce drilled one past the Dominican back line into the upper left corner of the goal. It was an amazing shot that put an exclamation point on the 5-0 victory and the Slugs 4th straight win, sixth on the season.

If you missed the action yesterday be sure to come out and support your Slugs from the sideline as the UCSC women’s soccer team takes on CSU Hayward (2-2-3) Wednesday at 3pm.