REDLANDS, Calif. – This week the University of Redlands men's soccer team advanced to the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) Championship game after beating Cal Lutheran University (CLU) 2-0 at Farquhar Field for Head Coach Ralph Perez's 400th career win. They will face off against the top-seeded Stags of Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (CMS) on the road, tomorrow, Saturday, November 6 at 7:00 p.m.
The Bulldogs have competed in 13 SCIAC Post Season Tournaments with four titles (2016, 2015, 2008, 2007). They have also made it to the SCIAC Championship Games 11 times, which includes three losses to Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (2019, 2010, 2009).
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Redlands vs Cal Lutheran Semifinal
In that SCIAC semifinal against CLU, the Bulldogs used a pair of first-half goals and tight defensive work that only allowed one shot on goal to punch their ticket to the final.
The first of the two goals came from Collin ChubbFertal (Eugene, OR) who scored off a defensive deflection that fell to him at the top of the penalty area. He had a clean strike that went right to the keeper but deflected off of his hands and in for the eventual game-winning goal in the 19th minute.
The second goal came in the 37th minute off a free-kick from sophomore Spencer Palmer (San Diego, CA) from about 10 yards to the right of the penalty area. Palmer took the free-kick and sent it to the back post where defender Peyton Menti (Seattle, WA) was making a run. He got up and over his defender while turning his back to the ball having it deflect off his shoulder and into the goal for insurance.
CMS vs Chapman Semifinal
In the other semifinal, the top seed CMS had to battle back from a 1-0 deficit to win in double overtime at home against No. 4 Chapman University, 2-1.
CMS was down 1-0 after conceding a goal in the 6th minute and it was not until the 90th that they evened the match forcing it into extra time. The Stags played with a player advantage after a red card was shown to Chapman in the 14th minute. Then a second red card on Chapman in the 53rd minute gave CMS an 11-9 player advantage. Despite the two-player margin for most of the match, the Panthers held on until the equalizer was finished with:43 seconds left in regulation.
Chapman continued to play tough defensively, but it wouldn't be enough as the Stags would find the golden goal in the 108th minute to book their spot into the SCIAC Championship finale. Since CMS pulled off the win the Bulldogs will now travel to Claremont, Calif. for a rematch from the lone meeting back on September 15 where UR lost 2-1, coming on a crucial PK right before the half.
By the Numbers
The Bulldogs come into Saturday with a 9-1 record in their last 10 matches, conceding just 11 goals with eight of them coming against Pomona-Pitzer and Chapman University.
Defensively they have recorded five shutouts with another three matches coming by way of just a goal. With the ball, the Bulldogs have managed 25 goals for a 2.5 goal per match (GPM) average.
The Stags are 8-0-2 in their last 10. They have not conceded more than one goal in any match, which has only happened four times all season. They have 28 goals scored for a 2.8 goal per match (GPM) average. They have a plus 24 goal differential in their last ten games, have only lost once in their last 18 matches, and are currently undefeated over their last 16, while giving up just eight goals all season.
Team Leaders
For the Bulldogs, they have the second-leading scorer in the SCIAC in ChubbFertal who has 12 goals including five game-winners. Ethan Kovach (Las Vegas, NV) is second in the conference with six assists. He also has four goals as well. Outside back Joseph Parra (West Covina, CA) is tied for third in the conference with five assists.
Overall, 15 different players have scored on the season and 18 have contributed to a goal for the Maroon and Grey.
After splitting time with Aidan McSweeny (San Diego, CA) to start the season, an injury has allowed Seth Lawrence (Redlands, CA) to assume the number one role and he has gone 9-1-1 with 37 saves, a .822 save percentage, a 0.78 goals-against average while playing 927:42 minutes. Lawrence's GAA and save percentage both rank second in the conference.
On the other side, the Stag's leading scorers are Justin Blachman and Harper Rubin who both have six goals and are tied for third in the conference. Lukas Huntington leads CMS and the conference with seven assists.
The Stags have 16 different goal scorers and 19 who have contributed.
In goal for the Stags is Eduardo De Anda. He has played in 1512:39 minutes, has made 54 saves, with a 0.42 GAA, and a .860 save percentage. De Anda's GAA and save percentage are both first in the conference.
What's at Stake
The winner of this game will receive an automatic bid into the NCAA Division III National Championships. The loser will still have a chance to make the tournament but will need to receive an at-large bid from the selection committee to continue towards a Division III National Championship.