PASADENA, Calif. – The University of Redlands Women's Soccer team secured a road victory 3-2 Friday afternoon needing senior Eva Vlassopoulos (Portland, OR) and overtime to beat Caltech.
The Maroon and Grey wrap up their 2021 season going 7-8, 6-6 SCIAC, posting the most conference wins in a single season since 2018 when they went 9-7-2, 8-4-2 SCIAC.
Redlands needed extra time for the second time this season, with their last OT game coming back on September 8 in a 1-0 road loss to Occidental. This time around it was UR pulling off the victory thanks to Vlassopoulos connecting for the equalizer in the final minute of regulation and then again 1:33 into the second OT session.
"This was an exciting match with the back-and-forth action," explained Head Coach Suzette Soboti. "Caltech played with poise and determination executing a well-coached plan of attack. I am proud of our team for how much resiliency and grit they showed in finding a way to win."
After a scoreless first half both teams combined for four goals in the second, which included CIT taking a 2-0 lead, seventeen minutes into the session. UR had their looks though with first year Sami Salinas (Foothill Ranch, CA) hitting the crossbar in the 48th minute, Charlie Baum (Hesperia, CA) having an open look on goal with a header, which was cleared by the defense, and Malia Kuhl (Sammamish, WA) hitting another crossbar in the 77th minute.
Finally in the 84th minute the Bulldogs would get on the scoreboard, cutting the deficit in half. Senior Alanna Farrington (Sammamish, WA) served in a ball, which found the chest of Kuhl at the top of the 18. She then took on a defender going to her right before finishing.
A minute later the Bulldogs would put together a sequence that would lead to the equalizer. Tristen Sherley (Novato, CA) took a corner for the Maroon and Grey, which found the head of Kuhl backpost, but her shot would get blocked and cleared by the Beavers. Farrington would then come down with the ensuing clear attempt and would serve it back in getting it past the backline to Vlassopoulos who was running towards it for a one touch finish by the keeper with :03 seconds to play in regulation.
Only two shots were taken in the first OT period, both from Caltech. Then in the second period of extra time it was all Redlands earning the game-winner 1:33 in. Sherley played the ball out wide to Salinas. She then took off down the sideline to a 1v1 before crossing it. The ensuing flick went off of one of the Caltech players and then off of Kuhl before going backwards towards the backpost where Vlassopoulos was waiting to muscle it in.
Redlands outshot Caltech 20-18 and held the advantage on corner kicks 7-2. Kennedy Kerr (Bellevue, WA) got the start between the posts and finished with three saves playing 53:39. Kaiah Mooradian (Fort Collins, CO) subbed in and played the final 47:54 picking up two stops.
Kuhl finished with six shots on the afternoon with three on goal, Vlassopoulos added three shots with two goals and Salinas posted a four-shot effort with three on frame.
"I am so proud of this team for putting together such an incredible season and to come back off a COVID year so determined and ready to compete. I am grateful and honored to have had the opportunity to coach this group especially the seniors. Their collective leadership will be the legacy they leave as a positive impression for many seasons to come."