THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - With four minutes remaining in regulation in a tied match, Brandon Kearney propelled the Cal Lutheran men's soccer team over La Verne 2-1 with a game-winning goal on Saturday afternoon at Rolland Stadium.
Kearney, started the game just how he finished it, putting the Kingsmen on the board in the 15th minute after a perfectly placed through ball from Diego Ortega. CLU nearly made it a two goal advantage one minute later after Ortega fired a shot at goal that was deflected away. Andres Mendoza followed through on the ball and shot towards the upper right corner, but a Leopard defender leaped in desperation to head the ball away.
Throughout the match, the Violet and Gold defense stymied the Leopards offense as orchestrated by goalkeeper Eduardo Garcia, who made his first career start for CLU.
La Verne, however, was able to break through for a goal in the 79th minute to tie the match on a diving header from Saul Uribe.
Hoping to avoid overtime for the third time this season, Gabe Fernando found Kearney on a dead run, who then found the back of the net to give CLU the win.
Kearney, Mendoza and Ortega led the Kingsmen with two shots apiece while Gabe Naudin, Jaime Alvarado, Charlie Villa-Lovos and Salvador Orozco also recorded shots in the game. Garcia earned his first career win protecting the goal and added four saves in the match. La Verne outshot CLU 13-10 and held a 6-3 advantage in corner kicks.
Cal Lutheran (5-5, 4-4 SCIAC) will continue SCIAC play at home against Occidental this Monday, Oct. 3 at 7:00 p.m.
Box Score: CLU 2, LV 1
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