The University of Redlands men's soccer team put together its best performance of the season on Friday night, tying top-ranked Trinity University (TX), 1-1, in double overtime.  In front of a solid contingent at Farquhar Field, the Bulldogs proved that they can compete with the best as they extended their unbeaten streak to three games.

During a back-and-forth first half that included numerous chances on both ends, senior midfielder Gabe Ramirez (Pasadena, CA) created an excellent opportunity for the Maroon and Gray when he beat two Tiger defenders and laced a shot toward the right-side netting.  But Trinity sophomore goalkeeper Matt Cardone (San Antonio, TX) leaped to make a diving save, just tipping the shot wide.

The second half saw the Bulldogs take the lead in the 51st minute when sophomore midfielder Matej Kustura (Las Vegas, NV) received the ball near midfield, dribbled toward the Tiger 18-yard box, and slipped a perfectly-weighted, through-ball to sophomore forward Charles Izydorek (Redlands, CA).  Notching his first goal of the 2012 campaign, Izydorek finished the golden opportunity for the Bulldogs. 

Up 1-0, Redlands faced numerous long throw-ins during the second half, and the undefeated Tigers eventually took advantage by netting one in the 63rd minute.  Trinity's junior defender Jeff Hayes (San Antonio, TX) took the throw on the left touchline and found senior defender Michael Micheletti (Kingwood, TX), who flicked the ball into the right-side netting to tie the score at one apiece.

With the pressure on both teams, chances were at a premium for the rest of regulation. Bulldog junior goalkeeper Andreas Silva (San Jose, CA) made the save of the game with less than 10 minutes remaining in the second stanza when he sprawled out to derail a Tiger shot that was headed for the lower-left corner of the net. 

Knotted at one apiece, the teams retook the field for two overtime periods.  During the first extra frame, freshman midfielder Peter Marsden (Woodside, CA) just missed an excellent look from 10 yards out. 

The Bulldogs continued to threaten and tallied two more legitimate scoring chances late in the second overtime.  After Izydorek had his point-blank shot saved, the ball was crossed back to Kustura, who narrowly missed on a header that drifted past the left post by just inches.

Looking to build upon this strong performance, Redlands (2-1-1) takes on Southwestern University (TX) at Farquhar Field on Sunday at 12 noon.