Box Score By Michael Wells
Sports Information Director
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The Occidental College men's soccer team held off a corner kick onslaught from Pomona-Pitzer for as long as they could in the first half on Saturday, but eventually conceded a goal and the game, losing to the Sagehens 1-0 at Lower Field.
In the 24th minute, Mark Raftrey finally found Lawrence McDonald, who slotted a right-footed shot in the top right corner of the goal, well out of the reach of Oxy goalkeeper Andrew Larkin (Los Angeles, CA).
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"That was just indicative of our lack of effort. Not winning the first ball and having to reach in and block shots," Occidental coach Rod Lafaurie said. "Corner kicks are usually effort issues, and those were in the first half primarily."
Lafaurie attributed the Tigers (4-12, 4-8) giving up nine corners and 12 shots in the first half to, "coming out flat."
"Once we started to move the ball, which is what's been our strength all year, we were fine," Lafaurie said.
The Tigers were able to generate some chances in the second half, getting three of five shots on goal, but their late offensive effort went without reward.
"We would have liked to create more opportunities," Lafaurie said. "Once we figured it out, we were okay. But it took too long and cost us a goal."
James Kornfield (Brentwood, CA) had two shots and Ben Murray (Sandpoint, ID), Ben Grime (Batesburg-Leesville, SC), Marcus Brandford (Seattle, WA) and Douglas Pentland (Corvalis, OR) all had one in the second half.
The Tigers still aren't out of the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference playoff hunt. If they win out, and get some help, they can still steal the fourth and final bid.
Oxy (4-8) currently sits in sixth behind La Verne (4-6-1) and Whittier (6-5), with Whittier and Cal Lutheran remaining on their schedule. Whittier could eliminate the Tigers with a win over Cal Lutheran tonight, but if they lose, Oxy will get the Poets at home, then Whittier plays third place Pomona-Pitzer.
La Verne (4-6-1) is likely to beat Cal Tech and lose to undefeated Redlands.
Regardless of the playoff picture, Lafaurie says the mindset going forward won't change.
"We have to keep moving forward," Lafaurie said. "No matter what I'm going to keep pushing this group to get better. If wins come from that, that's how it should be, but no matter what we're going to keep progressing."
