SportsSoccer

Leopards blow late lead to CMS

An abrupt goal by Claremont-Mudd-Scripps against La Verne in the last five seconds of Saturday’s home game left the score tied, 1-1. Defender Michael Zbozinek and forward Michael Nguyentant watch as Tomislav Zbozinek, defender, and La Verne’s Nahavi Mendoza, forward, fight for possession of the ball. The Leopards’ overall record now stands at 4-3-2, and 2-2-1 in conference play. / photo by Rafael Anguiano
An abrupt goal by Claremont-Mudd-Scripps against La Verne in the last five seconds of Saturday’s home game left the score tied, 1-1. Defender Michael Zbozinek and forward Michael Nguyentant watch as Tomislav Zbozinek, defender, and La Verne’s Nahavi Mendoza, forward, fight for possession of the ball. The Leopards’ overall record now stands at 4-3-2, and 2-2-1 in conference play. / photo by Rafael Anguiano

Chris Weedon
Staff Writer

The men’s soccer team started the week with one win and one loss in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and after a disappointing home stand, it now sits at 2-2-1 in conference.

In their first game of the week, the Leopards went up against perennial powerhouse and defending SCIAC co- champion Redlands, which once again proved their caliber, defeating the team, 3-0, Wednesday at Ben Hines Field.

Redlands has been champion or co-champ of the conference since 2001 and last year made it to the NCAA Elite 8.

With credentials like that, the Bulldogs were bound to be a tough opponent for the men, but they would not go down without a fight.

The Bulldogs got on the board early, scoring in the fourth minute and would take that 1-0 lead into the half, despite some good opportunities for scores by the Leopards in the end of the half.

In the start of the second half, it seemed as though the men would get themselves back into the game, but after 12 minutes of aggressive play by La Verne with numerous shots on goal, it was Redlands that got themselves on the board to bring the game to 2-0.

The Bulldogs added another goal toward the end of the game for a final score of 3-0.

Senior midfielder Matt Dominguez said, “We need to finish our chances, but overall we are getting a good team chemistry.”

Unfortunately for the Leopards, their luck only got worse against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps.

It took two overtimes to conclude the game last Saturday that ultimately ended in a 1-1 tie.

After a hard-hitting, foul-filled first half, both teams remained scoreless going into the break.

In the second half, the men came out with a mission, which was rewarded quickly with a goal in the 48th minute by Hector Lepe.

As the game progressed, ULV was intent on not letting their lead go without a fight, posting 11 fouls in the half.

The Stags fought right back, adding six of their own in addition to two yellow cards.

After 89 minutes of rough play by both teams, the game’s decision fittingly came down to the final seconds.

With only 10 seconds remaining in regulation, the Stags found themselves with a corner kick for the tie.

The ensuing kick landed in the feet of defender Tomislav Zbozinek, who, with only four seconds left in the game, put the tying ball in the net to force overtime.

“We played like a team [against] one of the top teams,” junior Adan Jaime said.

“We get on it; we can’t let up, and we need to take it one game at a time in order to make the playoffs,” Jaime said.

Dominguez added, “We had a small let down, but other than that we dominated. Overall, we were the better team all day.”

Dominguez was given a yellow card in the game.

If he receives another one this season he will be forced to miss a game, something the Leopards cannot afford.

“Now we realize where we are at, and we know it is going to take a lot of work to get La Verne soccer back to where it used to be,” said assistant coach Eddy Geenen.

From here, the men’s soccer team goes on the road to face Caltech next Wednesday to try and rebound in another competitive conference match. The game begins at 1 p.m.

Chris Weedon can be reached at christopher.weedon@laverne.edu.

Chris Weedon
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