Box Score Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com
WHITTIER, Calif. – The Whittier College Men's Soccer team threatened the No. 13 ranked Bulldogs of the University of Redlands Wednesday night but couldn't complete the comeback as they fell 2-1 at the Donald E. Graham Soccer Field.
Despite dropping to 3-8, 2-8 SCIAC the Poets gave the Bulldogs all they could handle having the game deadlocked at halftime at 1-1 before falling on a controversial call in the second half.
It was a tight game in the early stages but the Bulldogs managed to strike first from long range in the 34th minute. Austin Moore moved the ball over to Isaac Bogart outside the box on the wing and he would then take a shot with his right that bent into the top right corner of the goal over the outstretched hand of Jorge Rivas (Trabuco Canyon, Calif.).
Whittier though didn't back down and answered soon after in the 36th minute this time from James Suri (Lake Forest, Calif.) who found the ball at the bottom of his foot in the box before putting it away for the equalizer. Connor Tait-Mole (Livermore, Calif.) made a nice run on the outside and put the ball on the ground into the box, which found RayRay Roberson (Albuquerque, NM) who then swung it over to Suri.
The game was deadlocked for the first 26:00 minutes into the second half with a number of chances occurring on both sides. Redlands got off the first seven shots in the second half before finding the go ahead goal off the foot of Jesus Avalos in the 67th minute. A ball was sent in from outside on the wing. Whittier was able to clear it but due to a hustle play, Spencer Scott was able to get out to the clear and flick it back into the box to the head of Avalos who then connected it off the post and in.
Rivas finished the game with five saves, while Jason Henderson (Rancho Santa Fe, NM) and Suri each recorded two shots.
A combined seven cards were issued on the evening with five coming from UR in a physical contest. Redlands outshot Whittier 25-7 and held an advantage on corner kicks 5-3.
Whittier remains at home this Saturday, October 8 as they host Chapman University beginning at 11:00am.
