The 2021 season came to an end on Saturday afternoon, as the University of Redlands men's soccer team suffered a last-minute loss to No. 6 Connecticut College in the NCAA Round of 16 at Tufts University (MA). 

The Bulldogs completed the impressive campaign with a 17-3-1 overall record while advancing to the third round of the NCAA Championships for the seventh time.  In its first NCAA trip since 2016, Redlands now owns 12 appearances since 2001. 

The teams battled through a fairly even first 45 minutes, with Conn holding a slight 6-4 advantage on shots.  Thanks to sophomore goalkeeper Seth Lawrence's (Redlands, CA) quick reflexes, Conn's best chance of the half was denied in the 23rd minute.  As forward MT Tshuma charged toward the goal on a 1-v-1 breakaway, Lawrence read the angle and blocked the Camel's shot to keep the clean sheet.

In the 31st minute, graduate student defender Arian Mogharei (Hayward, CA) forced goalkeeper Sam Maidenberg to make the save off his header-shot. Late in the frame, senior midfielder Avery Jacobson (Seattle, WA) corralled the ball, turned, and blasted a shot toward goal but it faded left.

During the second half, Redlands struggled to find its rhythm against the possessive-heavy opponent.  Connecticut College pressured the Bulldog defense throughout the final 45, resulting in a total of six saves for Lawrence.

With the game seeming to be destined to overtime, Connecticut found the breakthrough in the 89th minute, as Rye Jaran served a well-placed ball to Alessandro Horvath, who knocked it in for the game-winner.

Connecticut College (16-4-1) faces Tufts University (15-1-4) in Sunday's Elite 8 showdown of familiar foes.