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Soccer: TSA FC lose in home debut
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Soccer: TSA FC lose in home debut

UA's Kesterson scores lone goal in otherwise dreary result

  • TSA forward Justene Kesterson scores after challenging the keeper for the ball.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comTSA forward Justene Kesterson scores after challenging the keeper for the ball.
  • TSA defender Morgan Rooney moves the ball up-field.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comTSA defender Morgan Rooney moves the ball up-field.
  • LA score a goal from a first-half corner kick.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comLA score a goal from a first-half corner kick.
  • Harsh sunlight still lit the field when it was time to kick off the game.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comHarsh sunlight still lit the field when it was time to kick off the game.
  • TSA captain Kelly Kearns congratulates Justene Kesterson for her second-half goal.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comTSA captain Kelly Kearns congratulates Justene Kesterson for her second-half goal.
  • LA forward Kayla Mills slots home to increase the lead late in the second half.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comLA forward Kayla Mills slots home to increase the lead late in the second half.
  • LA's Samantha Pena (#4) tries to dribble past TSA FC midfielder Mackenzie German Johnson.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comLA's Samantha Pena (#4) tries to dribble past TSA FC midfielder Mackenzie German Johnson.
  • The LA defense swarm to dispossess Justene Kesterson of the ball.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comThe LA defense swarm to dispossess Justene Kesterson of the ball.
  • LA goalkeeper Jennifer Stuart clears the ball.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comLA goalkeeper Jennifer Stuart clears the ball.
  • TSA FC midfielder Mackenzie German Johnson (right) fights for control of the ball.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comTSA FC midfielder Mackenzie German Johnson (right) fights for control of the ball.
  • Players from TSA FC and LA Premier FC walk onto the field.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comPlayers from TSA FC and LA Premier FC walk onto the field.
  • TSAFC forward Kaitlyn Lopez heads the ball.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comTSAFC forward Kaitlyn Lopez heads the ball.

It was TSA FC's first home game, but the friendly confines of Kino North Stadium didn't help them as they lost to LA Premier FC 6-1.

TSA had fallen behind by two goals by the time of the half-time whistle. They pulled one back when Justene Kesterson, a forward who plays her college soccer at the University of Arizona, took advantage of a poorly executed back pass.

"I saw the keeper before the game, and she didn't know how to handle pressure," said Kesterson after the match. "So when the ball got played back to her I said try it and let's see what happens."

When the keeper tried to play it back out, Kesterson pounced and found the back of the net.

Unfortunately for her team, they were unable to build on the lead. LA Premier was awarded a penalty kick after Kelly Kearns fouled one of their players in the box. LA's Lauren Stupin easily extended the lead with that opportunity. Over the next twenty minutes, LA scored three times, including two goals from USC's Kayla Mills.

"We lost track of our players," Kesterson said. "We realize that; we just need to fix it for the next game."

TSA FC has a bit of a layoff until their next match. On June 11 they travel to Phoenix to play Phoenix del Sol, a team they had a win and a tie against last year.

TSA FC v LA Premier FC

Kino North Stadium

Scoring summary
LAP - Morgan Batcheller (27')
LAP - Unknown (44')
TSA - Justene Kesterson (57')
LAP - Lauren Stupin (pk 70')
LAP - Jennifer Williams (75')
LAP - Kayla Mills (77')
LAP - Mills (87')
Starters:
TSA FC: Chandler Morris - Madison Kinser, Brianna Barriero, German Mack, Kelly Kearns, Layla Martin - Nicole Lindsay, Priscilla Pimienta, Laura Pimienta, Karina Camacho, Madi Irwin
LA Premier FC: Jennifer Stuart - Darien Podmajersky, Morgan Batcheller, Miranda Freeman, Leandra Walker - Alexandre Quincy, Sarah Teagarten, Chelsey Patterson, Lauren Stupin - Kayla Mills, Jennifer Williams

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