San Diego SeaLions Travel for Season Opener
The San Diego SeaLions prepare to head north for their 2017 season opener as another year of WPSL action kicks off. The SeaLions hope to take their mission one step further after falling in the 2016 WPSL National Championship match.
WPSL Soccer News: The San Diego SeaLions head on the road for their 2017 WPSL season opener this Sunday as they take on PacSouth Division rival Strikers FC – South Coast.
“We’re restless,” said SeaLions head coach Jen Lalor. “We feel like we could have won the WPSL title last year, and we have the chance to prove it this season.”
The core of the 2016 SeaLions squad, which won 11 games and lost just one while outscoring opponents 33-7, returns this campaign led by midfielder Rosie Tantillo-Colon (6 assists / 3 goals); defender Leigh Ann Brown; forward Angelina Hix (11 goals); goalkeeper Kaycee Gunion (0.77 GAA); the versatile Elise Britt (4 goals); and Mexico Women’s National Team standout Jannelly Farias.
“It was tough, getting so close last year. All of us left the field after that championship game with pits in our stomachs and it’s pushed us to work harder this preseason,” said assistant coach Lu Snyder. “We try to establish, early on, a mindset in the team to expect to be playing postseason, and their hard work shows they have that determination.”
Strikers FC, formerly known as L.A. Salsa, played a heavy preseason schedule against Xolas of Tijuana, Cal State Dominguez Hills and Univ. of British Columbia Thunderbirds. They are led by their 2016 top scorer Natalia Ledezma (6 goals).
Sunday’s match kicks off at 4:00 p.m. at Ocean View High School Stadium (17071 Gothard St., Huntington Beach, CA).
Supporters can follow live on the ScoreStream App.
