LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Oct. 17, 2009) – The Occidental College Tigers faced the visiting Cal Lutheran University Kingsmen this morning on Patterson Field. The Tigers, who played incredibly well throughout the game, just couldn't muster enough for the win, falling 3-2 in a close-knit Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference match-up.

During the first several minutes of the game, the Tiger defense seemed asleep, allowing the first Cal Lutheran goal at the 6^th minute. Immediately, Oxy jumpstarted its offense, attacking the Kingsmen goal continuously throughout the half, taking six shots, and another 10 during the second half for 16 total. The equalizer by the Tigers came from a powerful shot by first year Daniel Watson off a beautiful pass by Deryck Lim.

The Tigers kept up the attack while keeper Andrew Larkin defended the goal, making three saves to hold off the Kingsmen. To put the Tigers up, Lim then headered the ball into the goal from free kick by freshman Kyle Scoble. Following the celebration, the assist referee remained with his flag in the air, annulling the goal due to an offside call.

In an unfortunate turn of events at the beginning of the second half, Occidental accidentally scored in his own net from a Cal Lu free kick at the 49^th minute on an attempt to clear the ball. Ben Grime, a first year forward recently added to the Oxy roster, entered the game and quickly tied the score. A through ball by Watson sliced the defense to an awaiting Grime who one-touched the ball into the back of the net.

Despite the strength of the two first years players up top, the CLU Kingsmen bounced back at 74^th minute to put victory out of the Tigers' reach.

For their next match, the Tigers (4-9, 3-7 SCIAC),  will host the 10-3, conference leading Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens (8-1 SCIAC) this Wednesday, Oct. 21^st at 4:00 p.m. on the Lower Soccer Field.

Article: Marco Castanos, Student Reporter