LA VERNE, CA — The University of La Verne men's soccer team opened up SCIAC play in a thrilling jungle cat battle against Occidental College on Wednesday night, fighting to a 3-3 tie against the Tigers.
The Leopards nearly completed an epic comeback performance, scoring three goals in the final 18 minutes to take a 3-2 lead before the Tigers found the back of the net with 12 seconds remaining to salvage a tie.
With 18 minutes left of play, right wing Israel Jimenez Ramirez raced down the field, driving through the Tigers' defense and sending a hard right-footed shot to the back of the net, cutting Occidental's lead in half. Just six minutes later, Jimenez Ramirez sent a pass to striker Diego Soto, who sprinted down the left side near the end line. He wrapped a near-impossible left-footed shot that slipped between the keeper and the post to balance the score.
In the 80th minute, the Leopards took advantage of an Oxy corner kick and turned it into an attack. La Verne's defense quickly thwarted the ball away from the box and beat the Tigers in transition. Forward Kevin Arreola headed a pass to midfielder Alexander Bastidas, who leaped and headed the ball past the keeper, taking a hard shot from the goalie in the process, for the Leopards' go-ahead goal.
Despite La Verne's late surge, the Tigers struck back in the final moments of the game. With time winding down, the Tiger's Aiden Aley sprinted to set up for a last hope corner kick. He lofted the ball into the box to Devin Bening. Bening delivered for Oxy and tied the score 3-3 with just 12 seconds left on the clock.
Occidental's corner kicks proved to be the difference-making factor in the game, not only resulting in each team's final goal but also leading to the Tigers' opening goal of the match.
Shots: La Verne 17, Occidental 17
Saves: La Verne 5, Occidental 2
Corner Kicks: La Verne 5, Occidental 7
Fouls: La Verne 6, Occidental 8
Words from Head Coach Drew Rea
"Even in the locker room, we were all believing we were the better team all night," Rea said. "With that last goal at the end with 12 seconds to go, it does hurt that unbelievable comeback but we'll walk out of here happy with this result, look to improve, and I can't wait for the next one."
Next up
The Leopards will return to action for another conference matchup this Saturday, September 20th, at 7 P.M. against the Chapman Panthers at Wilson Field in Orange. The Leopards defeated Chapman 1-0 in a non-conference game earlier this year.
