REDLANDS, Calif. – The Cal Lutheran Kingsmen found their groove early in their face off with the University of Redlands Bulldogs, but were unable to take home a win on the road, losing 2-1 after a heartbreaking final shot just minutes into overtime.
Cal Lutheran's offense made moves early, but struggled to find shots late in the game, scoring the first goal of the game just 2 minutes and 55 seconds in with a fast break up the middle off a counter-attack from a Redland's corner kick. Junior Joey Arnold then made his way past two defenders, passing the ball back to senior Jared Pischke who then rolled the ball right past the Bulldog's keeper, Noah Natividad, for the early score.
On defense, the Kingmen's keeper, sophomore Antonio Welch put up an impressive game yet again, tallying 12 saves on the evening.
The Kingsmen defense continued to battle it out with the Bulldogs as Redlands threatened in the 26th minute on a corner kick, setting up a shot for Joey Kenney who shot wide right, going against the strong defensive front held by senior Alex Cortez and freshman Cameron Korshavn.
As time ran down in the first half, freshman Igor Lumbrano found Adrian Graciano with a pass up field, setting up Graciano to drive past the Redland's defender for a shot on goal but it was saved by the keeper in the 40th.
Things got chippy in the second half, though, with cautions being shown to both sides of the field. Redlands was awarded three yellow cards and Cal Lutheran one of their own.
Just a few minutes in, the Bulldogs found the back of the net in the 49th minute, capitalizing off a switch in possession from the Kingsmen, allowing Kayvon Parsa to bury a ball into the right back corner of the net.
With the score tied at 1-1, the teams went back and forth, before Welch made another huge save in the 59th, diving left to stop a shot on goal by Redlands' Mogharei, and holding on to the gridlock for the remainder of regulation
With ten seconds remaining in the game, the Kingsmen were able to get one final shot off on goal with a cross pass into the middle, setting up a header on goal for junior Lucca Rodrigues, but the Redland's keeper was able to make the save, sending the game into a golden goal overtime.
Tensions continued to rise for both teams with Redlands starting with possession and Kingsmen defense coming out strong. Welch opened the period with his 12th save of the night, blocking shot coming in from the wide left from Redlands' Carlyle.
Cal Lutheran then took their turn with another header by Rodrigues that looked promising, but sailed just high of the goal.
After making another shot attempt, Redlands took advantage of a loose ball in the box, allowing Chubb Fertal to send the ball into the back of the net for the Bulldogs victory.
The Kingsmen finish the 2018 season 5-12 overall and 5-9 in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC).
Box Score: UR 2, CLU 1
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Release by Alexa Barnes, Sports Information Student Assistant
