In Sunday evening's physical battle on Farquhar Field, the University of Redlands men's soccer team suffered a tight 1-2 defeat in non-conference action against the visiting Pirates of Whitworth University (WA).
Following fast-paced play from both teams early in the first half, first-year goalkeeper Adrian Muñoz (Pasadena, CA) made an incredible save with one hand on a header attempt from directly in front of the net in the 18th minute to keep the Pirates off the board. The Bulldogs turned that stellar play into a quality attempt on the other end, but the shot flew wide. Redlands continued to put pressure on the Pirates, including a one-v-one breakaway attempt from inside the box that sailed high in the 32nd minute. To end the first period, the Maroon and Gray successfully defended a corner-kick opportunity to remain in a scoreless draw at the break.
Redlands began the second stanza by keeping up its pressure with three shots in the opening minutes. The Bulldogs' aggression paid off at the 62:31-mark, when sophomore midfielder Avery Jacobson (Seattle, WA) let loose on a goal at the top of the box off of a well-placed through-ball from sophomore forward Steve Acuña (Pico Rivera, CA) for the Maroon and Gray's 1-0 advantage.
However, the Pirates quickly responded with the equalizer just three minutes later.
The back-and-forth nature of the contest continued with multiple fouls and offensive opportunities on each end. Despite tough play from the Bulldogs' defensive unit, Whitworth benefitted from a scrum in front of the net that put the Pirates up, 2-1, in the 79th minute.
Down the stretch, Muñoz made two more big saves, but the Bulldogs were unable to score before time expired.
Redlands (0-2-0) competes on Friday, September 13, against the College of the Desert on Farquhar Field at 7 p.m.
