THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - The Cal Lutheran men's soccer team battled Occidental for 110 minutes in a Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) game, settling for another tie, a 1-1 outcome, which was their fourth overtime tie of the season and fifth game that required extra play this fall.
Gui Borini got things going for CLU in the opening minute when he took the first shot of the game. The teams would alternate possession throughout the 45 minute period and Occidental held a slight edge in shots, nine to six, at the intermission as the Tigers held a 1-0 advantage after a goal from Tod Kawada, assisted by Alessandro Carotenuto.
In the 78th minute, CLU go-to man Zack Larson converted the equalizing goal to stretch his scoring streak to three games, also marking the second time this season he has accomplished that feat. Following a hat-trick against CMS and a game-winner against Caltech, Larson struck again, knotting the teams at 1-1.
After the break, Cal Lutheran continued to play tough defense while the offense came about with the goal. After the equalizer the teams were each able to fire off additional shots, but nothing would find the back of the net as it turned into a defensive clash.
Cal Lutheran goalkeeper Jack Duncan had a phenomenal showing with a career-best 15 saves as the Tigers peppered his cage with 24 total shots throughout the game. It was the second time this season Duncan reached double figure saves and it marked his seventh career contest with 10 or more.
Joining Duncan on the field throughout the duration were Larson, Nick Baldi, Jorge Galvan and Julian Hernandez. Brandon Kearney notched 97 minutes and both Logan Cone and Bryan Hulse played more than 80 minutes tonight.
At the offensive end of the field, CLU combined for 14 shots with six on target. Hulse and Larson led the attack with four attempts apiece while Borini was the only other player with multiple shots, registering two.
Occidental (11-4-1, 8-4-1 SCIAC) totaled 24 shots with four from Zack Conrad and three each from four different Tigers. Oxy goalkeeper Theo Atkinson finished with five saves.
With tonight's tie the CLU team is undefeated in their last four games with two wins and a pair of ties. The Kingsmen climbed a spot in the SCIAC standings as well.
Cal Lutheran (5-7-4, 4-6-3) returns to the pitch on Saturday, Oct. 25 when they play their final road game of the regular season at La Verne where the Kingsmen and Leopards will take the field at 7:00 p.m.
Box Score: CLU 1, OXY 1 - 2OT
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