Men's Soccer ends the 2021 season with a 3-1 win
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Sierra Nevada (4-10-0, 3-5-0) | 1 | 0 | 1 |
|
Cal Maritime (1-10-1, 1-7-0) | 1 | 2 | 3 |
VALLEJO, Calif. – Cal Maritime wasted no time in lighting up the scoreboard in Tuesday's California Pacific Conference matchup at Bodnar Field when Ronald Squier beat Sierra Nevada goalkeeper Chance Izatt three minutes and 20 seconds after kickoff on the first shot recorded by either team.
Even though the Eagles equalized on a free kick in the 36th minute, on a goal that somehow found a lane through a pack of players camped in front of the Keelhaulers' goal before it bounced off a leg and snuck inside far post, Cal Maritime bounced back by scoring another quick goal once action resumed after halftime.
On a play that originated from midfield when the second half started, Colin Powers raced down the field, caught the entire Eagle defense off-guard and helped the Keelhaulers regain the lead 17 seconds into the second half.
That one-goal advantage was not enough for Cal Maritime as it continued to pressure Sierra Nevada throughout the rest of the game, and sealed the result for good when Luka Bilaver's goal in the 65th minute doubled its lead to 3-1 — a score that remain untouched until the final horn.
"We made an adjustment at halftime since we gave up a lot of opportunities at midfield," said head coach Mike Carvalho. "In the second half, the players just shut that area of the field down. They guys came together, executed everything they were asked, and it resulted in a 2-0 half."
Cal Maritime's victory, the first of the Mike Carvalho era, took place in its final game of the season since this matchup against the Eagles, originally scheduled on October 24, was postponed when severe thunderstorms rolled through Northern California. The three goals scored against Sierra Nevada is a season high and the most earned by the Keelhaulers since October 25, 2018, when they defeated Providence Christian by a 4-2 result.
"After the game, I just told the guys how proud I was of them because I could not ask for anything more from them," Carvalho added.
With this victory, Cal Maritime will end the 2021 campaign at 1-10-1 overall and 1-7 in league play. Tuesday's loss pushes Sierra Nevada's final records to 4-10 and 3-5.