Late Defense and Early Goals Keep Bulldogs Unbeaten in SCIAC Play

By David James Heiss

Redlands News Collective

REDLANDS — The University of Redlands men’s soccer team (5-1-2, 2-0 SCIAC) picked up a 1-0 shutout victory over the University of La Verne before battling to a draw against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps over the weekend.

Photo by Lindsay Calloway

Zachary Darmanyan accounted for the game-winning goal against La Verne, recorded both of Redlands’ shots on target in the match, and led the team in total shots.

Against La Verne, senior Zachary Darmanyan scored the lone goal of the match in the 52nd minute to deliver the win for the Bulldogs.

Redlands controlled the opening tempo, taking the first three shots of the match. Darmanyan forced the first save of the night from the Leopard goalkeeper in the 37th minute—the only save required by either side in a first half where 10 other shots went off target.

Early in the second half, the Bulldogs capitalized on a Leopard turnover deep in their own territory. Graduate student Landon Azavedo intercepted a pass, went to the ground, and slipped a ball to Darmanyan. Darmanyan dribbled into the box, cut to his right to bypass a defender, and slotted a calm finish into the bottom-right corner.

Less than two minutes later, junior goalkeeper Jaden Nisperos made his first save of the night as La Verne began pushing forward. Despite late pressure from the Leopards, the Redlands defense remained organized, and Nisperos turned away one final long-range attempt in the closing seconds to preserve the clean sheet.

Darmanyan finished with a game-high five shots, accounting for both of Redlands’ shots on goal. Overall, the Bulldogs outshot La Verne 14-9.

Later on Saturday, Sept. 26, Redlands returned home and played to a draw against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps. Junior Thomas Lyden provided the offense for the Maroon and Grey, scoring in the 16th minute.

Redlands returns to action at home against California Lutheran University on Wednesday, Sept. 30 at 7 p.m.