Bears Fall 3-0 at San Diego to Open 2015

August 28, 2015

SAN DIEGO – The No. 16 California Golden Bears (0-1-0) opened the 2015 season with a difficult 3-0 loss on Friday night, to the San Diego Toreros (1-0-0) at Torero Stadium in San Diego. The match was scoreless at the break, with Cal having the better of the play and creating multiple quality chances in the first 45 minutes, but San Diego scored a trio of second half goals over a 23-minute span to seize the victory over the 10-man Bears in front of the home crowd. Sophomore midfielder Djordje Babic opened the scoring in the 50th minute of play, and just five minutes later the advantage was doubled by senior midfielder Marvin Schmiege after a pair of fortuitous deflections set up two quality finishes. The Bears were down to 10 in the 69th minute after sophomore defender Joshua Morton was sent off and the Toreros put the final touch on the match just three minutes later, when senior forward Torrey DeArmas finished on the counter-attack for San Diego. Cal threatened to break through on several occasions in the second half as well, but could not seem to solve redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Thomas Olsen on this night.

The Golden Bears settled in straight away, knocking the ball around well, maintaining a lot of possession early on. That nearly materialized into an early lead, when in the eighth minute, redshirt sophomore midfielder Jose Carrera-Garcia was picked out at the edge of the area by redshirt freshman defender Matt Locklear. Carrera-Garcia turned tightly into the box, and curled an effort that appeared destined for the far post, but Olsen was able to get the slightest of touches to keep it out.

In the 14th minute of play, Cal threatened yet again, as a great chance came out of nothing. A loose ball took a fortunate bounce for the Bears and was pounced on by sophomore forwardPaul Salcedo. The Inglewood, California, native searched out the bottom corner of the far post, but his shot skidded just inches wide. In the 28th minute, Salcedo nearly took advantage of another loose ball in the San Diego area, but Olsen stood tall, saving his close-range shot very well, forcing a corner kick.

San Diego proved dangerous at times as well, almost seizing the lead on a set piece in the 32nd. Babic played a teasing ball at the back post, but no Toreros were able to get on the end of it, as the ball bounded across the end line harmlessly for a goal kick.

Neither team was able to break through in the first half, but it was Babic and the Toreros who finally broke the deadlock, just five minutes into the second half. Schmiege’s shot from about 20-yards out was blocked by a Golden Bear defender, sending redshirt senior goalkeeper Alex Mangels diving in an attempt to save the initial shot. An unfortunate deflection for the Bears fell right to Babic, who finished well on the volley from the top of the area to give San Diego the 1-0 advantage.

It was double trouble for the Bears just five minutes later, when Schmiege pounced on another deflected loose ball, smashing the ball home off of the crossbar from close range, leaving Mangels no chance. The 2-0 deficit did not seem to rattle the Bears, as they kept going forward and nearly pulled a goal back immediately off of the restart. Freshman forwardSpencer Held, making his collegiate debut, got on the end of a scintillating cross by junior defender Nick Lima to the near post, but Held’s glancing header went inches wide of the far post.

The Bears threatened again in the 65th minute, as junior forward Christian Thierjung cut inside the area and his slightly deflected shot from about 15-yards out tested the quick reactions of Olsen, but the goalkeeper was up to the task. Morton was sent off after his foul in the 69th minute, but the 10 men of California fought furiously to pull one back. A good chance in the 72nd went begging as a close range shot on a set piece by Lima was blocked and appeals for handball were denied.

On the ensuing counter-attack, San Diego’s DeArmas was through one-on-one with Mangels and finished over the top of the Lafayette, California, native to stretch the Torero advantage to 3-0. Cal still pushed on, creating a few more chances, however, it was not to be on this evening for the Golden Bears.

California now shifts its focus to a big weekend next week as the Bears return to Berkeley to open their home slate. The Golden Bears host Virginia Commonwealth University on Friday Sept. 4 at Goldman Field at Edwards Stadium at 4:30 p.m. in Berkeley, and then host Northeastern on Sunday, Sept. 6 at 2 p.m. Fans are encouraged to interact with@CalMensSoccer on Twitter during the matches and can stay up to date on statistics and live updates during the games.