Bulldog Sweep: Men's and Women's Soccer Collect SCIAC Shutout Victories Over Caltech
Compiled by David James Heiss
Redlands News Collective
REDLANDS — The University of Redlands men’s and women’s soccer teams kicked off Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play in dominant fashion Saturday, securing a pair of shutout wins over the California Institute of Technology.
At Farquhar Field, the U of R women’s soccer team (2-4, 1-0 SCIAC) earned a 3-0 victory over the Beavers, marking the Bulldogs’ first shutout of the season.
Redlands established an early offensive rhythm, putting five shots on target in the opening half. Senior Faith Kasper of Menifee generated the first opportunity in the fourth minute with a long-range attempt.
Photo by Adrian Williams
Junior midfielder Vanessa Martinez earned her first career goal and assist during the Sept. 19 home game against Caltech.
In the 19th minute, junior Averie Stunz of Stanwood, Washington, sent a cross into the box that cleared both defenders and attackers before finding junior Vanessa Martinez of Mission Hills, who slotted the ball home for her first career goal and a 1-0 lead.
Senior goalkeeper Nicole Immoos of San San Luis Obispo preserved the lead on the ensuing possession, stopping a close equalizer attempt by Caltech.
Photo by Adrian Williams
Senior defender Jessica Chavez (No. 26) scored the Bulldogs' second goal in the 27th minute with a header off a corner kick from Vanessa Martinez.
Martinez struck again in the 27th minute, driving a corner kick from the left flag to senior defender Jessica Chavez of Cayucos, who headed it in for her first career goal and a 2-0 advantage.
Freshman Taylor Tidquist of Snoqualmie, Washington, capped the scoring in the first half after receiving a pass from San Diego freshman Amanda Bear, turning upfield, and lofting a shot from outside the right corner of the penalty box over the outstretched glove of the Caltech keeper.
Redlands outshot Caltech 25-3 overall and held a 10-1 edge in corner kicks. Freshmen Keilani Ayala of Corona and Riley Gutierrez of San Bernardino, along with senior Jaiden Riodil of Tigard, Oregon, put pressure on the Beavers' net in the second half. Immoos, along with sophomore Jenna Sanchez of Tustin and junior Rhiannon Waldschmidt of San Jose, combined for the clean sheet in goal.
The Bulldog women return to conference action Wednesday, Sept. 23, traveling to face the University of La Verne at 7 p.m.
In the men's matchup, the University of Redlands (4-1-2, 1-0 SCIAC) blanked Caltech 2-0 to open its conference slate.
San Jose senior Colby Anger and junior Thomas Lyden of Thornwood, New York, set the pace with early shots on goal before an unexpected turnover broke the tie. In the seventh minute, a backline pass by Caltech slipped past the Beavers' slipping goalkeeper for an own goal, giving the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead.
San Diego junior goalkeeper Jaden Nisperos anchored the Redlands defense, making two first-half saves, while Portland, Oregon, senior Bo Robertson nearly extended the lead with a 30th-minute header on goal.
Photo by Angel Escatel Martinez
Senior Zachary Darmanyan (of San Diego) scored the second goal for the Bulldog men in the 37th minute to secure the 2-0 win. He finished a shot across the net to the far side after a combination play with freshman Garrett Colley near the top left corner of the penalty area.
The Bulldogs doubled their lead in the 37th minute when Danville freshman Garrett Colley paired up with San Diego senior Zachary Darmanyan near the top left corner of the penalty area. Colley delivered the final touch to Darmanyan, who finished across the goal into the far side of the net.
Redlands held a 19-13 shot advantage and a 10-4 advantage in corner kicks. Costa Mesa junior Jared Keyvan, Anger, and Pasadena junior Luke Wyatt each forced second-half saves to preserve the two-goal margin.
The U of R men host the University of La Verne on Wednesday, Sept. 23, at Farquhar Field, with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.
Redlands Athletics contributed to this report.