No. 24 Cal Rallies to Defeat Men's Soccer, 2-1

Friday, September 21

Palo Alto, Calif.

8:00

Davidson College Athletics

1-4-0

California

2-2-1

Team	1	2	Final F
Davidson	1	0	1
California	0	2	2

No. 24 Cal Rallies to Defeat Men's Soccer, 2-1

9/21/2007 9:20:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

Joey Beeler -- Assistant SID

PALO ALTO, Calif. -- Despite leading at the break on Robby Hoak's 18th career strike, Davidson fell to nationally-ranked California 2-1 in the opening round of the 2007 Nike Stanford Invitational Friday evening at Laird Q. Cagan Stadium. The setback drops the Wildcats to 1-5-0 overall, while No. 24 Cal improves to 3-2-1.

A 6-4 forward from Raleigh, N.C., Hoak netted his team-leading third score of the campaign and second in as many contests on a left-footed blast from about 18 yards out. Both Alex Caskey and Machel Turner recorded assists on the preseason all-conference selection's 26th minute score.

Just prior to the break, Cameron Griffin had a chance to give the Wildcats a 2-0 advantage, but the junior co-captain's one-on-one attempt with Cal's keeper sailed just high of frame.

Early into the second period, California's Andrew Wiedeman provided the equalizer at the 55:11 mark on a shot that deflected off a Wildcat defender.

Following Cal's game-tying score, Davidson just missed grabbing the lead back, when a Wildcat corner kick bounced around in a crowd and found Turner in the goal mouth, but his volley from five yards went just over the cross bar.

"California had more of the advantage at the start and end of the match. But for the middle 60 minutes, we had many more clear scoring opportunities. If we just put one of those chances away, we win this important match."

Like the first half, Davidson had a number of great scoring chances, but were unable to capitalize. Perhaps the Wildcats best opportunity came when Griffin centered a pass to Turner, who just missed getting his foot on the ball from point blank range. Charlie Reiter was there to follow up Cal's attempted clear, but Stefan Frei recorded one of his four saves in net to keep the contest tied 1-1.

“Our guys continue to play quality soccer,” commented Davidson head coach Matt Spear. “We are very close and just need to stay after it and finish stronger.”

With under three minutes remaining, Wiedeman gave the Bears the lead for good with his second goal of the affair. The freshman forward's game winner was set up by Andrew Jacobson.

The Bears finished the match with a 17-12 advantage in shots.

Davidson will conclude its appearance in the 2007 Nike Stanford Invitational against the host Cardinal at 5:30 p.m. (EST) Sunday. The Bears and Princeton will kickoff the final day of the event prior to the Wildcats' match with Stanford.

“We need to stay confident. Stanford is another quality opponent, and our guys will be up to the challenge,” said Spear.