The University of Redlands men's soccer team shouldered a challenging, 0-1, loss to Whittier College in a physical, Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) battle at Farquhar Field on Saturday afternoon.
The Bulldogs got off to a quick start as sophomore defender Peyton Menti (Seattle, WA) sent a beautiful ball over the top and down the left flank to senior midfielder Dylan Carlyle (Ottawa, CAN). Carlyle sent a cross to the foot of junior midfielder Derrin Valeri (Atlanta, GA), who blasted a one-timer that sailed wide right.
Later in the half, first-year forward Ethan Kovach (Las Vegas, NV) showed off his skill with an impressive bicycle-kick off of a corner kick from sophomore forward Steve Acuña (Pico Rivera, CA). Unfortunately, the crafty shot missed high. A couple minutes later, the Bulldogs strung together several passes that led to a quality shot from Valeri, forcing the Poet goalkeeper to make a tough save.
Despite the Bulldogs possessing for the majority of the half, the Poets took advantage of a loose ball in front of the net and tapped it in to take a 1-0 lead in the 28th minute.
Redlands earned two more attempts before the break, but neither connected, sending the Bulldogs into the half down by a goal.
The Maroon and Gray had chances early in the second off two quality looks from Valeri, but both missed high. Despite playing a man down following a red card, the Maroon and Gray continued to dominate possession and shots.
In the 74th minute, the Bulldogs benefited from a foul that put them in position to score, but sophomore midfielder Avery Jacobson's (Seattle, WA) attempt was stopped by the Poet goalkeeper. A little over two minutes later, Whittier was flagged with a red card of their own to make the game even once again. Acuña put the ensuing free kick on goal but to no avail. First-year midfielder Joseph Parra (West Covina, CA) nearly put one away in the 81st minute, but it went high.
Unfortunately, time ran out before Redlands could even the score.
In total, the Bulldogs outshot the Poets, 20-5, and held a 9-2 advantage in corner kicks.
Redlands (0-4-1, 0-2-0 SCIAC) hits the road on Wednesday, September 25, for a conference showdown against the University of La Verne at 7 p.m.