THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - To open the final week of the season, the Cal Lutheran men's soccer team returned home to play inside of the friendly confines of William Rolland Stadium for the first of two straight home games to round out the season. A Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) meeting between CLU and Redlands went in favor of the Bulldogs by a 2-1 margin though the Kingsmen took an early 1-0 lead.
In the fifth minute of the contest Redlands took the first shot of the game and though they had an eight to two shots advantage 37 minutes into the game, CLU freshman Bryan Hulse put up the first crooked number of the night when he dribbled through the box and found the bottom left corner of the cage.
While the teams exchange possessions throughout the first half, CLU used a surge towards the end of the period to nearly pull even in shots with six shots while not allowing the Bulldogs to find a rhythm behind the defensive efforts of many including Brandon Kearney, Jorge Galvan and Jacob McMillan.
A foul in the 49th minute led to a penalty kick for Redlands and Charles Izydorek converted the equalizer. Just over three minutes later he chipped a ball from 20 yards out that arced perfectly into the net to give the Bulldogs a 2-1 advantage.
Though the teams battled, neither was able to add any more as the Maroon and Gray stole the victory.
Cal Lutheran would seize control of the ball and ultimately outshot Redlands 14-11, though only four were on target. UR was very accurate with eight of 11 shots soaring at the goal, with six stopped by Jack Duncan. Counterpart Josh Haskill made three saves for the Bulldogs. Each team earned two corner kicks tonight.
Redlands (11-8, 10-5 SCIAC) was led by four shots apiece from Izydorek and Matej Kustura.
For the Violet and Gold, Hulse and Zack Larson each had three chances while Nick Baldi and Logan Cone each used two opportunities. Gabriel Fernando, Matt Hubbard, Casey Kurtenbach and Elmer Molina rounded out the attacks tonight.
Cal Lutheran (5-9-4, 4-8-3) will wrap up the 2014 season on Saturday, Nov. 1 when the Kingsmen host Chapman at 7:00 p.m. as part of a double-header with the women's team with the Regals playing the Panthers at 4:00 p.m. inside of Rolland Stadium. Prior to the game the 2015 senior class will be recognized.
Box Score: UR 2, CLU 1
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