LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Oct. 25, 2008) – A promising first half turned bleak in the final half as Occidental College fell to the University of Redlands 11-5 in their first home game of the 2008 season, despite trailing by just one goal at the break.

Occidental opened with an early 2-0 advantage behind a pair of goals from senior captain Andrew Valdes, who finished with a game-high four goals.

In the first half he netted three while Abiel Garcia added the Tigers' fourth score of the half.

Redlands heated up after a slow start, to take a slight one-goal advantage at the mid-way mark.

In the third period UR scored two uncontested goals. Occidental missed a number of scoring opportunities with four consecutive shots hitting the post, allowing the Bulldogs to maintain their lead. In the final second of the third period Max Kelly made a nice block to leave the Tigers trailing by just three entering the fourth quarter of play.

During the final period of regulation UR found the back of the net four times, holding the Tigers scoreless, until the final minute of the game when Valdes struck again to leave the final at 11-5.

The Tigers fall to 9-13 overall, 1-2 in SCIAC play while the University of Redlands improves to 17-7, 3-0.

Occidental will jump back in the pool on Wednesday, Oct. 29 when they travel to Whittier College to face off with the Poets at 5:00 p.m.