Photo by Ian Strang
Junior Thomas Lyden, No. 17, seen here during a 2-1 victory over Trinity University on Sept. 6, scored the dramatic 88th-minute game-winner off the inside of the far post to knock off No. 4 Emory — marking Redlands' second top-five upset of the week.
By David James Heiss
Redlands News Collective
REDLANDS — The University of Redlands men’s soccer team earned one of its biggest victories of the young season on Friday before suffering its first setback of the fall on Saturday, splitting a pair of non-conference home matches at Farquhar Field.
The Bulldogs (3-1-1) knocked off fourth-ranked Emory University, which claimed to have played “shorthanded,” 1-0 on Friday behind a late game-winner from Thornwood, New York, junior Thomas Lyden before falling 2-1 to Colorado College on Saturday night.
Friday: Redlands 1, No. 4 Emory 0 Redlands recorded its second victory over a top-five opponent in a week on Friday afternoon, shutting out fourth-ranked Emory 1-0.
Both defenses dominated the early stages, with graduate student Landon Azavedo, of Lake Oswego, Oregon, and Pasadena junior Luke Wyatt forcing early saves from Eagle keeper, Atlanta senior Geoffrey Halpern, while Redlands goalie San Diego junior Jaden Nisperos turned away Emory’s lone shot on target of the opening half in the 26th minute.
With the match appearing bound for a scoreless draw late in the second half, the Bulldogs struck off a set piece in the 88th minute. Following a corner kick, Portland, Oregon, senior Bo Robertson gained control of a loose ball near the top of the box and slipped it to Azavedo. Azavedo quickly fed Lyden, who curled a right-footed shot off the inside of the far post and in for the match’s only tally.
Nisperos and the Bulldog defense held strong through the final two minutes to preserve the shutout.
Saturday: Colorado College 2, Redlands 1 Redlands returned to Farquhar Field on Saturday night, striking early but ultimately falling 2-1 to Colorado College.
San Diego senior Zachary Darmanyan put the Bulldogs ahead in the 12th minute. Azavedo won a 1-on-1 battle down the left sideline and fed Danville freshman Garrett Colley in the center of the pitch. Colley quickly redirected the ball to Darmanyan, who took a touch inside the 18-yard box and slotted a low shot past the Tiger keeper for a 1-0 advantage.
Redlands carried the lead into halftime, but Colorado College equalized on a counterattack strike from outside the box in the 51st minute.
Less than two minutes later, a Colorado College player received a red card, forcing the Tigers to play the final 37:35 with just 10 men. Redlands immediately ramped up the pressure, generating looks from Lyden, Darmanyan and Azavedo, but could not regain the lead.
Against the run of play, Colorado College capitalized on a long pass over the top in the 74th minute, converting a touch in the middle for the game-winner. Late attempts from Colley and Eureka sophomore Tomas Paoli were denied as the Tigers held on for the win.
Up Next Redlands hits the road Wednesday, Sept. 16, traveling to face Azusa Pacific University. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.