Undermanned Keelhaulers fight hard in opener

The shorthanded Keelhaulers fell behind early but settled in quite well with an incredibly admirable effort despite playing the majority of the game with just nine players in the opening day loss to Walla Walla University.

Cal Maritime's hustle was top notch and their communication defensively prevented Walla Walla from generating more quality scoring opportunities after the Keelhaulers fell behind 2-0 in the first 10 minutes of the game.

Cal Maritime suited up just 10 players with some eligibilities to still be worked out for new players, and the Keelhaulers would end up two players down after an injury to freshman Nick Yarusso's right knee that took him out of the game.

Charles Rohr, who played the field last year, filled in at keeper and did well to keep the Wolves off the board as did his defense, before one late slip up at the end of the first half where he couldn't quite corral a shot that caromed off his body and bounded onto the foot of a Wolves' attacker for Walla Walla's third goal.

Rohr had his own injury scare early in the second half after batting a corner kick up in the air, he was toppled down by Wolves attacker bending Rohr's body back awkwardly. Rohr would be able to walk off an ankle injury to remain in the game and the Walla Walla attacker was issued a yellow card, but the Wolves would tack on three more goals after that to take a 6-0 lead.

The Keelhaulers would extend their offense and generate some opportunities for Ezra Dickens, Blake Rerucha, and Andrew Cavinta but the Wolves defense would do just enough to keep Cal Maritime off the scoreboard for an 8-0 final.

UP NEXT: Men's Soccer will host Northwest University on Sept. 7 at 6 p.m.