Men's Soccer Ends 2008 With a Bang

Moraga, CA – On a day when the Saint Mary's men's soccer team (6-9-4/5-4-3 WCC) said their goodbye's to three seniors, it was fitting that one of them, Justin Kim, would kick things off in the goal scoring department. Kim notched his third goal and second game winner in as many games in the seventh minute, the scoring would not end there however, as the Gaels notched four goals on the afternoon, playing lock down defense at the same time, defeating Gonzaga (9-8-2/6-5-1 WCC) 4-0.

The Gaels came out hungry, as senior Cory Heldreth got things started for the Gaels sending a shot on goal, only to be saved by the Scott Barnum. Kim's goal followed not long after that, sending a header beating the keeper to the right side, the goal was Kim's third goal, and also the second game winner this weekend. He was set up by Brian Siu and Tom Mohoric. For Siu it was his second assists in as many games as well.

The Gaels and Bulldogs would trade shots back and fourth for most the better part of the first half, with Badger recorded saves off shots from Ben Funkhouser, Nick Love. Gonzaga's keeper Barnum also recorded a few saves in the first half off a shot from Justin Kim, and a header from Justin Grider.

The game was put on ice when the Bulldogs' defender Christian Sian tried to send a ball back safely to the keeper, only to have the ball get past Barnum for an own goal putting the Gaels up for good 2-0, the goal occurred in the 31st minute and Saint Mary's didn't look back.

Justin Grider would add a third goal in the end of the first half, when he scored on his own rebound in the 44th minute, eight seconds before the half, beating Barnum to his right following the loose ball.

In the second half it was all Gaels, Gonzaga actually outshot the Gaels, but their six shots on goal, were all scooped up harmlessly by Badger. Erik Rivas closed out the scoring on the afternoon notching his fourth goal of the season, sending a beautiful cross from Kim past new goalie Andrew Hickman on a one timer to the left side of the goal. Rivas' goal occurred in the 63rd minute.

Lost in the scoring display was the phenomenal performance from Badger. On the afternoon Badger was a brick wall, getting to every loose ball and keeping the ball out of the back of the net. On the afternoon he recorded 11 saves, as well as his third shut out of the season. Badger's record improved to 6-8-4 on the weekend.

Badger will finish this season with 86 saves, and a goal against average of 1.25, and has played in 1722:17 minutes this year. His three shut outs ties him for 8th all-time for most in a season, and his minutes played puts him at seventh all-time.

With the win the Gaels secured their best finish in conference since the West Coast Conference went to a double round robin schedule, finishing with a 5-4-3 record in WCC play.

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GAELS IN THE PROS

CHAMPIONS

HALL OF FAME

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