SOCCER (M)

9/14/09 - Sick Royals Prevail

Kentfield, CA- Despite the fact that about nine of their players should have been in bed due to illness, the Royals ended their Northern California road trip with a 2-0 win over Dominican.  Sophomore Jesus Ramos assisted on the first goal and the scored the second.

On Sunday, when the men were supposed enjoying a day off and the sites of the Bay area, most of the team was struggling to get out of bed.  On Monday, faced with the decision of forfeiting or playing sick, a team vote decided the team would play.

When the game started, it was apparent that the Royals were still trying to find enough adrenaline to help them overcome their sickness and lack of energy.  The Penguins (2-3) controlled the offensive side of things by firing off the first three shots, earning a corner, and being called offside twice.

The Royals (5-1-1) made their first shot of the match count as they found the back of the net with it.  Ramos split the defense with a pass for Freshman Edgar Bran to run onto and Bran used one touch to beat the charging Penguins’ goalkeeper and give the Royals a 1-0 lead.  The goal was Bran’s tenth of the season.

Eight minutes later, the perseverance of the Royals following up a play paid off for goal number two.  Sophomore Craig Jarvis found himself behind the defense and fired off a shot that was saved into the crossbar.  Ramos shot the rebound back into the crossbar and proceeded to follow up his own shot by finally heading the ball into the back of the net for his fourth goal on the year.

When play resumed after the break, the Royals bid for a shutout was severely tested after the Penguins’ Tim Pinella slipped behind the Royals’ defense and closed in on Senior Goalkeeper Matt Fike.  Fike saved the shutout by deflecting the low hard shot with his right hand and then pounced on the ball before any further opportunities developed.  Fike finished the game with 4 saves.

Both teams fired off shots throughout the second half, including the Royals putting two shots on goal in the final minute, but neither could find the back of the net so the score went final at 2-0.

Next up for the Royals will be a match against Chapman at Cal State Fullerton.

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