The University of Redlands men's soccer team used a strong first half to snag a 2-1 win in Friday night's exhibition match at Cal Lutheran University. After jumping on the board early, the Bulldogs stayed in front for their second positive result of the spring season against the Kingsmen.
Senior midfielder Collin ChubbFertal (Eugene, OR) initiated the scoring for the Maroon and Gray in the sixth minute of action. After quickly corralling a long pass from junior midfielder Steve Acuña (Pico Rivera, CA), senior midfielder Derrin Valeri (Atlanta, CA) sent it across the goal opening to find ChubbFertal, who tapped it in for the early score.
Redlands pressured the Kingsmen over the next few minutes, but the shots flew off the mark. However, the Bulldogs' persistence paid off in the 27th minute, as they earned back-to-back corner kicks. After CLU attempted to clear the second one, Acuña served the ball back into the box, where it was flicked forward to an open senior defender Arian Mogharei (Hayward, CA). Mogharei beat out the oncoming goalkeeper for the strong finish into the back of the net and the Maroon and Gray's 2-0 advantage.
Although the Kingsmen pulled one back in the 70th minute, Redlands maintained the lead for its second win of the season over CLU.
Sophomore goalkeeper Griffin Gettman (Boise, ID) provided four saves in 90 minutes of action as the Bulldogs' last line of defense.
Redlands completes its unique spring season on Wednesday, March 31, when it takes to the road to face NCAA Division II foe Azusa Pacific University at 7 p.m.