THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – The California Lutheran University men's soccer team looked lively and confident for the duration of the match, but George Fox were able to hang on and eventually find the winning goal in overtime to notch a 1-0 victory over the Kingsmen.
Cal Lutheran had the advantage in shots (15-8), corner kicks (7-2) and possession, but were unable to find the breakthrough they needed.
Owen Ebner was solid between the posts, making four saves, including two saves in rapid succession in the 21stminute.
Shortly after the Bruins thought they had found a goal just over the 20-minute mark, the Kingsmen quickly countered and nearly scored themselves. Aaron Winsick was sent through on goal in the 26thminute, but his shot was impressively saved by the George Fox goalkeeper.
CLU were the dominant team in the first half, but the Bruins managed to regain control of the game in the second 45 minutes. In the 51stminute, George Fox had a golden opportunity when Kevin Garcia rose up to head the ball into the back of the net, but his attempt missed just wide.
The turning point in the match came in the 65thminute when Winsick was fouled in the box and won a penalty for his team. Unfortunately, the Kingsmen were unable to convert from the spot and the score would remain level.
Cal Lutheran thought they had earned their winning-goal in the 78thminute when Igor Lumbrano stepped up to take a free kick in a dangerous area. His strike had great pace and slipped through the arms of the George Fox goalkeeper, but the ball was cleared just before it crossed the goal line.
The match would head to overtime after a scoreless 90 minutes. In the 98thminute, a mistake in the Kingsmen defense would result in a one-on-one opportunity for the Bruins and Jackson Keller would make the most of his opportunity, slotting his chance into the back of the net and clinching the 1-0 win for his team.
Winsick led the Kingsmen with four shots on goal while Nick Bryant, Erick Mejia and Lumbrano also tallied a shot on target.
CLU will head into Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play when they take on Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. inside William Rolland Stadium.
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Release by Jeff Rebello, Assistant Sports Information Director