Mustangs' comeback attempt thwarted by Life Pacific

TMU Women's Soccer came from behind twice to tie Life Pacific but trailing for a third time was not the charm for the Mustangs, as two late Warrior goals helped seal a 5-3 LPU victory over TMU on Thursday afternoon in Golden State Athletic Conference play.
 
"That's not a first-year program by any stretch," Master's head coach Curtis Lewis said in complimenting Life Pacific. "Numbers 7 and 3 are quality forwards and have a good partnership."
 
Kyndel Borman put Master's ahead in just the seventh minute off an Emma Hopkins cross from the left flank. Borman's goal was her fourth of the season, while Hopkins' assist was also her fourth. Both lead TMU in those respective categories, with Hopkins the only Mustang with multiple assists on the season.
 
However, TMU's lead lasted for only 11 minutes, as the Warriors drew level from the penalty spot before going ahead in the 31st minute.
 
Just 26 seconds after the Mustangs fell behind, TMU's Alexis Mendoza equalized from outside the 18-yard box, only for the Warriors to once again take the lead four minutes after that to go into halftime ahead, 3-2.
 
"We did not do a good job of implementing the game plan in the first half and we were punished," Lewis said.
 
Master's (5-4-1 overall, 2-2 GSAC) tied the game again in the 75th minute when Payton Williams' free kick was initially saved before being deflected into the net by a Life Pacific defender.
 
Unfortunately for the Mustangs, the game remained tied for less than a minute and a half before the Warriors re-took the lead for good. The home side then sealed the game in the 83rd with its fifth goal of the game.
 
"We played much better in the second half and really dominated the flow," Lewis said.
 
Life Pacific (4-2, 3-1) held a slight 15-14 advantage in total shots, but the Mustangs recorded two more shots on goal (10) than Life Pacific (eight) did.
 
Master's will try to bounce back from its two-game losing streak when the Mustangs take on William Jessup in Rocklin on March 17 at 10 a.m. TMU has already defeated Jessup twice this season, including 2-1 on Feb. 15 in Rocklin.