MORAGA, Calif. — In the first match of the 2021 season, Saint Mary's Men's Soccer needed nearly 90 minutes to break through. All that mattered is that they got the one that counted, and it came while holding the opposition scoreless. Locked in a tight battle with California all afternoon, the Gaels prevailed 1-0 thanks to late heroics from Jack Vestberg, buoying the Gaels to a 1-0 start while dropping the Golden Bears to an 0-1 start.
 
THE DRAMATIC ENDING
Fans had to wait until the 86^th minute before the Gaels were able to push through, but they found the back of the net thanks to a first collegiate goal. The Gaels got a great rush that was kick-started by Boyd Curry at midfield, who found David Brog in stride. He looked left and found a streak Jack Vestberg open, and the pass connected, leading to a left-foot finish that beat the Cal keeper and put the Gaels up in front 1-0. It was the first collegiate goal for Vestberg, who made his first start in his first game and made it count when he needed to.
 
THE EARLY CHANCES
The Gaels were in control for most of the first half, and they were able to get a few good looks on Chris Gustini, the Bears keeper. Curry had the first attempt, on a header that came 11 minutes in. Timothy Stephens put a pair of shots on frame in the first half that were both snuffed out by Gustini, and Gael Quintero was there late in the first half with a shot attempt that was saved. Saint Mary's goalkeeper Nicholas Lapinid was only tested once in the first half, with the first shot of the game, by Juan Martinez, but he stood tall en route to an eventual clean sheet.
 
HOLDING ON
After the Gaels got on the scoreboard, they had to withstand quite the rush from the Golden Bears. They went into full attack mode and set themselves up with a corner kick in the 87^th minute that went unfruitful, and then they had the final chance of the match. With just 10 seconds remaining, Cal worked the ball to the top of the box and fired from up top, but it sailed high and wide over the post. Lapinid clapped his hands, and the Gaels knew they were beginning the season with a 1-0 win.
 
UP NEXT
Saint Mary's will remain at home to close out the month of August when they host Cal Poly on Monday, August 30 at 4:00 pm inside Saint Mary's Stadium. The Mustangs did not play during the 2020 season, but will be in action this week to kick off their new campaign. This marks the second match of four-in-a-row at home for the Gaels to open up 2021.
 
#GaelsRise — Single game tickets are on sale through the month of September! To select your game and your tickets, click HERE!