LA VERNE, Calif. — Justin Almandinger washed away the sour taste of a couple of missed penalty kicks with a bomb of a goal, Raymundo Alcaraz knocked in the game-winner late and the University of La Verne men's soccer team beat Redlands, 2-1, on Saturday night at Ortmayer Stadium.

How it happened: It was a far cry from a four-goal loss at Chapman earlier in the week. La Verne stayed organized, defended well and were dangerous in counterattack—all elements of success in La Verne's wins this season.

With the match tied at 1-1, Mario Interiano got the ball at the top of the box after a poor clearance. Interiano then found Alcaraz with a pocket near the left post and Alcaraz tucked in the game-winner in the 78^th minute.

Almandinger opened the scoring in the 24^th minute with an absolute rocket from 30 yards out.

Auden Foxe had gotten a hold of a botched clearance on the right side, dribbled through a couple of defenders and dumped it off to the middle towards Almandinger who blasted a one-timer in the top left corner that had no shot at being saved.

The Leopards held well the rest of the first half but a momentary lapse in focus early in the second half led to a Redlands equalizer. The Bulldogs intercepted a La Verne throw-in and played a good through ball to release Charles Izydorek into a one-one-one opportunity. Izydorek was then brought down from behind in the box and converted the ensuing penalty kick to tie the game at 1-1.

Players of the game: In addition to his goal, Almandinger was in on Alcaraz's goal as well. He won a header in the box, which landed at Interiano who then relayed it Alcaraz for the goal.

Foxe with credited with the assist on Almandinger's goal and fired up the Leopards when he got into a scrum after a hard foul by a Redlands player.

From head coach Trevor Persson:

On the team bouncing back from a tough loss: "We let the guys know we still believe in them and these guys trusted in themselves. It was a nice way for them to rebound after coming out very sluggish in our last game [at Chapman]."

On Ray Alcaraz: "He started out in midfield and we transitioned him into defense. He played full 90 minutes and it was one of the best games I've seen him play."

What it means: La Verne (9-6-1, 6-6-0 SCIAC) keeps pace in a very crowded race for a spot in the SCIAC Postseason Tournament. Only one game separates the Leopards from fourth-place Redlands (7-5 SCIAC).

Up next: La Verne returns to action against Whittier at Ortmayer Stadium on Oct. 22 at 7 p.m.