AZUSA, Calif. – The Alex Ortega era got its first big win as the University of Redlands men's soccer team (2-0-1) upset reigning national runner-up and preseason No. 2 Trinity University (Texas) 2-1 at Azusa Pacific University (APU) Sunday afternoon thanks to a game-winning goal in the final minutes by Anders Beckton (Seattle, WA).
Jaden Nisperos (San Diego, CA) made the first save of the game in the 10th minute before the Bulldogs' first shot on target found the back of the net. Landon Azavedo (Lake Oswego, OR) took a corner finding Bo Robertson (Portland, OR) for his first of the season and a 1-0 U of R lead in the 21st minute.
Garrett Colley (Danville, CA) and Beckton then forced the Tiger keeper into another two save opportunities in the 31st and 33rd minutes. A shot by Colley and Azavedo also had shots saved and blocked as it was Redlands with the final five looks of the first half.
In the first 11 minutes of the second 45 Trinity took three shots with their third finding the back of the net to equalize the game at one.
That goal was the second of a string of seven unanswered attempts for the Tigers, though, Nisperos made two saves to keep the game tied at one.
Following two Tiger shots in the 86th minute, it was Beckton, who was found by Zachary Darmanyan (San Diego, CA), who scored against the run of play in the 87th minute with what would be the game-winning goal in the Bulldogs' final home game away from Farquhar Field.
All told the Bulldogs and Tigers combined for 24 shots, 10 on-goal, 13 corner kicks and 27 fouls.
The Bulldogs host No. 4 Emory University at Farquhar Field this Friday, September 11 beginning at 4:00 p.m. as they look for their second Top-5 ranked upset in five days.
