THOUSAND OAKS, CA — Cesar Rodriguez found the back of the net in the 8th minute, Rene Gonzalez made a spectacular save on a penalty shot in the final minute of the game, and the University of La Verne men's soccer team scored a big road win against the Cal Lutheran Kingsmen Saturday afternoon.
Season Impact
With the win, the Leopards sweep the Kingsmen and improve to 6-7 overall and 4-7 in SCIAC play. Cal Lutheran falls to 5-9 overall and 5-6 in the conference.
Play of the Game
With just 34 seconds remaining in the game, Cal Lutheran caught a break when they were awarded a penalty kick after a La Verne foul in the corner of the box. Igor Lumbrano sent a hard shot to the left side of the box, but Gonzalez guessed right, diving and swatting the ball away with his left hand.
The Leopards fended off the ensuing corner kick as time expired to leave Thousand Oaks with the win. Gonzalez finished the match with six saves.
How It Happened
Early in the match, Salvador Ortega sent a long throw in into the box. James Metoyer knocked the ball down and Rodriguez finished off the play, striking the ball to the right side of the goal for the 1-0 advantage.
The Kingsmen kept on the attack in the second half, totaling six shots to try to even the game. But La Verne's defense held keeping Cal Lutheran off the board.
Conference Outlook
The Leopards aren't out of the postseason hunt. But with five squads vying for the fourth spot in the in the SCIAC Tournament and just three conference games remaining, the Leopards will have to win out to give themselves the best chance to advance.
Next Game
The Leopards get back to action on Wednesday, October 17 when they return home to face the Whittier College Poets at 7 p.m.
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