LA VERNE, CA — The University of La Verne men's soccer team took on the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Stags Saturday night. A penalty kick proved to be the difference as the Leopards fell in a close 2-1 match.
The first half was quiet for both teams, with only a handful of shots and no goals. Early in the second half, the Stags took the lead in the 49th minute off a Matteo Quadrini goal.
Both teams received a cascade of yellow cards in the following minutes. In the 62nd minute, the Leopards broke through with a chaotic Alexander Bastidas goal from a Carlos Cervantes assist. Bastidas earned his fifth goal of the season while Cervantes picked up his first assist.
Disaster struck in the 69th minute for the Leopards as Diego Soto picked up his second yellow card, and the Leopards were forced to compete a player short for the rest of the match.
A couple of minutes later, Malachi Prince was carded in the penalty box, setting up the Stags for a penalty kick that they capitalized on. Eight cards were awarded between the two teams by the final whistle.
The Leopards move to 4-3-4 on the season and 2-2-2 in SCIAC play.
The Leopards are back in action Wednesday night over in Azusa to take on Azusa Pacific University at 7 p.m.
Pack the Stands
The Leopards return home on Saturday, October 10 at 7 p.m. in a match against Caltech. The Leopards will host their second annual Pack the Stands, celebrating local clubs and elementary school. Prizes and giveaways will be available for fans in attendance.
