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Nate Huntington controlling the ball on Wednesday night.
Nate Huntington controlling the ball on Wednesday night.

Comeback Falls Just Short, As Bulldogs Top Stags

CLAREMONT, Calif. - Despite a goal in the 84th minute by Daniel Rohde (HMC) on Wednesday, the Stags could not complete the comeback and dropped a 3-2 match against the Redlands Bulldogs. The Stags struck first with a goal in the 26th minute off the foot of Justin Gadalla (HMC) into the side-netting. CMS would hold the 1-0 lead until the Bulldogs struck within less than four minute left in the half to tie the match at 1-1. Goals for the visitors in the 49th and 71st minute, gave the Bulldogs a 3-1 advantage. Rohde cut the lead to one with his late tally, but CMS was unable to find the equalizer in the final moments.

In addition to his goal, Rhode added an assist on Gadalla's tally early in the match for three points in the game.

The Stags jumped out of the gate with a shot by Cole Smith (CMC) in just the second minute, but his attempt was turned away by the Redlands' keeper. After the early attempt by Smith, play between CMS and Redlands we pretty even with play going end-line to end-line.  The Stags would strike first with a goal in the 26th minute. Daniel Rohde sent a square pass from the left-side to Justin Gadalla, who was waiting just inside the box. Gadalla wound up for the one-time strike, beating the keeper and putting CMS up 1-0 in the 26th minute.

Offensive pressure from Redlands came to a head less than 10 minutes after the initial tally from Gadalla. In a three-minute stretch from the 33rd to 36th minute, the Bulldogs took four shots and earned three corners. In the stretch, CMS keeper Daniel Cui made three saves to keep the Stags in front 1-0.

After CMS weathered the storm, it looked as if the early lead would at least hold-up through the half. That changed when the Stags were whistled for a foul, just feet outside the box near the end line. On the ensuing free kick, Cameron Doody placed a ball right on the head of Casey ChubbFertal, who tied the game at 1-1 in the 42nd minute.

The Redlands' score was the last dangerous moment of the half for either team and the Stags and Bulldogs went to the break tied at 1-1.

Just as the first-half started, the Stags opened the second-half with a quick shot in the opening moments. Nate Huntington's (CMC) attempt in the 46th minute sailed high over the bar. After a shot by Yusuke Kobayashi (CMC) in the 47th minute also went high, the Bulldogs counted with two shots and a pair of corner kicks in the next two minutes. The second of the two corners resulted in a goal for the Bulldogs. Alexander Knox found Chase Boone with a corner from the right-side for the second header goal for Redlands on the night and the 2-1 lead.

Redlands would push their lead to 3-1 in the 71st minute when their keeper sent a long ball forward. The ball took a big bounce and found Anthony Chonga in stride. Chonga took a touch and chipped the ball over the keeper from 25 yards out to put the Bulldogs up two.

It looked, for a second, that the Bulldogs had added an insurance goal in the 79th minute, when a shot by Kayvon Parsa hit the left post. The Stags recovered and jumped on the ball before Redlands could follow-up and the score remained 3-1.

Just moments after the near miss off the post, Daniel Rohde found himself on a breakaway down the right-side. The keeper came out to cut down Rohde's angle, but the freshman slotted a ball inside the near post to pull CMS within one at 3-2.

Looking to force overtime, Isaiah Alba (CMC) took the Stags' final shot of the night in the 84th minute, but it was saved by John Melito. Despite direct play over the final six minutes, the Stags were unable to final the equalizer, falling by the 3-2 final.

With the loss, the Stags fall to 1-5-0 overall and 1-3-0 in the SCIAC. Every CMS match this season has been decided by one goal.  The Stags will be back in action this weekend when they travel to CalTech. Game time is slated for 11:00 a.m.