Sept. 20, 2003

Box Score

Moraga, CA - The Saint Mary's men's soccer team held a 1-0 lead over the No. 21-ranked California Golden Bears Saturday afternoon, but gave up two unanswered goals late in the second half, resulting in a 2-1 Cal victory over the Gaels in front of over 300 fans at Garaventa Field.

Saint Mary's broke a 0-0 tie late in the first half when freshman Anthony Butler (Vallejo, CA) scored his first goal as a Gael coming from an assist by Adam Zielske and Niles Almarinez. Butler's goal gave the Gaels a 1-0 lead at the 43:39 mark.

In the second half, the Golden Bears answered with two goals within a three-minute span to take a 2-1 lead and would hold on to that lead over the final 17 minutes for the victory. The Bears' first goal came from Noah Merl, who beat Saint Mary's goalkeeper Kellan Wilson in the 65th minute. Merl's goal was assisted by J.T. Searles and Nick Hatzke. Cal's game-winning goal came from Carl Acosta in the 68th minute, off an assist by Merl.

Saint Mary's had two excellent scoring opportunities in the second half to increase its 1-0 lead, but both scoring chances ended in a shot hitting the goal post. The first Gaels opportunity came off the foot of Derek Youpel, whose shot hit the crossbar. The second chance came from Almarinez, whose shot hit the right post.

With the loss the Gaels drop to 1-6 on the season and will host CS Monterey Bay at 3 p.m. on Sunday at Garaventa Field.