Nico de Simas strikes again in non-conference clash at UC Santa Cruz

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. - Sophomore forward/midfielder Nico de Simas found the back of the net for the second time in as many games during Tuesday's non-conference event at Lower East Field — the first head-to-head matchup at UC Santa Cruz since 1987.

His strike in the 17th minute gave Cal Maritime an early 1-0 lead, but the Banana Slugs were responsible for the rest of the afternoon's scoring since CSUM's Division-III opponent extended its current win streak to three games by turning its 2-1 halftime lead, in a hard-fought game from start to finish, into a 6-1 final result by scoring three times within the last 12  minutes of the match.

Cal Maritime will return to conference action on Thursday, when it hosts Providence Christian in a 5 p.m. contest at Bodnar Field, and will enter that game with a 0-9 overall record. UC Santa Cruz improves to 5-5-1 and 4-1 at home this season.