Box Score

Santa Cruz, Calif. (11/1/08)-- The weather couldn't have been worse as the Urban Knights Men's Soccer team was defeated by the UC Santa Cruz Banana Slugs, 3-0, in the most difficult playing conditions of the year. 

For most of the match, visibility was minimal due to a thick fog bank that rolled in over the pitch just prior to kick-off. High winds and heavy rains dumped during the afternoon's match and were a huge factor at UC Santa Cruz's saturated field as the teams went to battle.

Both teams played very competitive soccer in the first half. At about the twenty-five minute mark, UC Santa Cruz broke through and scored its first of two goals in the period. With less than a minute to go in the half, the home squad received a long cross from the corner to the far post where a hard-running Banana Slug headed it past AAU sophomore goalie Jose Herrera who had slipped in the muddy goal area trying to make the save. Both teams appeared evenly matched, but the final score did not reflect it.

The second half performance was very impressive and hard fought by the Urban Knight Men as they shut out all of UC Santa Cruz's goal efforts. Unfortunately, an own goal by AAU gave UC Santa Cruz a 3-0 advantage.

There were many standout performances by the Urban Knights including a crucial penalty shot save by Herrera in the second half to keep the AAU Men in the match. Freshmen midfielders Javier Bustos and Miquel Amezquita, sophomore midfielder Stefan Leal, and freshman defender Isreal Nevarez all put in gutsy performances as Head Coach Daniel Rosaia was "very pleased" with their efforts.

"Under the conditions, luck would play a huge roll in the game's outcome,” Rosaia said. “And it just didn't go our way today.” 

AAU assistant coach Kier LaCrosse added credit to the UCSC team's play amidst inclement conditions.

"Taking nothing away from our team's effort, UC Santa Cruz played well under the nasty conditions and ended their season today on a high note," LaCrosse said. "UC Santa Cruz returns 10 starters next year and will be a force to be dealt with and especially in their respective conference. They are very organized and a skilled squad that is obviously well-coached. Our guys played very well and we will look forward to an eventual rematch with a different end result."