Gonzalez PK beats Pomona-Pitzer in OT

Gonzalez PK beats Pomona-Pitzer in OT

CLAREMONT, Calif. — Justin Funes was brought down in the penalty box in the 97th minute and Nathan Gonzalez calmly converted the penalty kick to lift the University of La Verne men's soccer team to a 1-0 overtime win over Pomona-Pitzer on Saturday at Pomona-Pitzer Soccer Field.

The Leopards remain undefeated at 5-0-1 overall and 3-0-1 in the SCIAC. Pomona-Pitzer falls to 3-3-0 and 2-2-0.

It was a deserved result for La Verne. The Leopards knocked on the door all game, forcing Pomona-Pitzer's goalkeeper Ben Mitchell into a save after save. Mitchell's most impressive and important save came with the game winding down in the 89th minute. Funes got everything on a header towards the net, but Mitchell made the save of the early SCIAC season to force overtime.

Josh Ramirez saved a shot from JK Gopakumar 56 seconds into the period but it was all La Verne after that. The Leopards drew a corner kick in the 85th and had two looks at the goal before Funes was fouled in the box.

Gonzalez scored the goal, but Funes was the most active attacker for La Verne. The winger registered five shots and put three of them on target.

Ramirez finished the game with five saves, but none of the shots were particularly threatening.

The Leopards return to action on Wednesday when it hosts No. 11 Redlands at 7 p.m. for one of the biggest regular season matches of the season.