SANTA CRUZ, Calif. - The Cal Lutheran men's soccer team became the first official team to complete a contest during the 2015-16 academic year this afternoon when the Kingsmen faced off with UC Santa Cruz in Northern California. The visiting Violet and Gold took a 1-0 first half lead, but the home squad knotted things up mid-way through the second stanza and the teams would play 20 extra minutes before drawing at 1-1 in double overtime. It is the second straight season that CLU has tied in the first game of the year.
Offensive Highlights: Brandon Kearney opened his sophomore season by striking first with a goal in the 15th minute to represent the first CLU scoring play of the year. Pedro Zaccarelli was credited with the assist on the play. The senior was also responsible for five total shots, two on goal, to pace the Kingsmen. CLU fired of 12 total shots, half on target.
Defensive Highlights: The CLU backfield of Kearney, Henry Breheny, Casey Kurtenbach and Tal Zaiet held the Banana Slugs scoreless over the first 67 minutes. Sean Williams got the start and made four saves, in an entire 110 minute game of work, one coming in each overtime period.
The Opponent: Conrad Rowling lifted a corner kick to Matthew Rutledge for a game-tying header goal in the 68th minute. Connor Anderson also played the entire 110 minutes as the goalie and recorded five saves for UCSC.
Notables: A number of CLU players made his debut including Carlos Palacios and Nick Warren in the starting line-up with Benjamin Gabella, Spencer Gottmer and Andres Mendoza contributing off the bench.
Next Up: Cal Lutheran (0-0-1) returns home for its Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) opener on Monday, Sept. 7 against Chapman. Teams will take the field at William Rolland Stadium for a 7:00 p.m. kickoff.
Box Score: CLU 1, UCSC 1
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