The 23rd-ranked University of Redlands men’s soccer team
used its potent offense to lift itself over conference rival
Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges by a 3-2 final on Saturday in
Claremont.
With the win, the Bulldogs ensured a third meeting between the two
teams in the first round of the Southern California Intercollegiate
Athletic Conference (SCIAC) Postseason Tournament on Thursday.
Redlands has had the upper hand in the series thus far this year as
the maroon and gray has won both matches by scores of 2-0 and
3-2.
The Stags struck first when Tomislav Zbozinek netted a goal in the
43rd minute, giving the home team a 1-0 lead heading into
halftime.
Momentum returned to Redlands’ favor in the 47th minute as
senior midfielder Bryan Fakkema (Oak Harbor, WA) scored the
equalizing goal on a penalty kick.
Mitchell Nguyentat fired a Kevin Festini pass to the back of the
net just two minutes later, and Claremont-Mudd-Scripps regained the
lead 2-1.
Amidst brief periods of rain, both teams were unable to make a move
offensively for nearly 20 minutes until junior midfielder Nick
Gundersen (Park City, UT) headed in a goal off of a touch from
senior forward Ross Schunk (Portland, OR).
With less than five minutes left to play, Gundersen tallied his
second goal of the match when he pounded a cross by senior
midfielder Steve Chenes (Las Vegas, NV) home for the game-winning
score.
Redlands (14-4-2, 12-0-2 SCIAC) hosts the semifinal round of the
SCIAC Postseason Tournament on Thursday and squares off against
Claremont-Mudd-Scripps at 7:30 p.m. on Farquhar Field. The winner
of the SCIAC Postseason Tournament receives an automatic bid to the
NCAA playoffs.
No. 23 Bulldog Mens Soccer Closes Out Regular Season With Win Over Claremont-Mudd-Scripps
Posted: Nov 01, 2008