The No. 7 University of Redlands men's soccer team hosted its home opener on Friday night under the lights at Farquhar Field against No. 20 Carnegie Mellon University (PA). Amidst a physical battle and some unpredictable weather, the home team could not capitalize on its chances and ultimately fell to the Tartan, 0-1.
Both teams came out firing on all cylinders, as multiple fouls, shots, and corner kicks took place in the first 15 minutes of action. Both goalkeepers were challenged out of the gate but answered the call by coming up with nice saves.
Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, the Tartan jumped on the board in the 17th minute to put Redlands in an early 0-1 hole.
Following the goal, Carnegie Mellon kept senior Bulldog goalkeeper John Melito (Keller, TX) under pressure but stepped up by making two great saves to keep the Maroon and Gray within striking distance.
Redlands' best chance came in the 29th minute when senior midfielder Sergio Valencia (San Jose, CA) made some swift moves and rocketed the ball towards the goal, where it ricocheted off the right post.
As the clock wound down, the Bulldogs entered halftime still down by just one.
Following an unexpected rain shower, the home team was ready to up the ante on its offense during the second stanza. Redlands earned four corner kicks to Carnegie Mellon's one.
In the 80th minute, with emotions running high and the crowd getting into it, Valencia served a nice corner kick towards the Tartan goal. Junior forward Kayvon Parsa (West Hills, CA) found the ball in the box and blasted it just wide left. Just three minutes later, senior forward Chase Boone (Beaverton, OR) had a nice header opportunity in the box, but it also went wide.
Redlands fought until the very end, but, unfortunately, came up just short in its home opener.
The Maroon and Gray (1-3, 1-0 SCIAC) faces a quick turnaround by traveling to Pomona-Pitzer Colleges on Saturday, September 9, for an 11 a.m. kickoff against the Sagehens.