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Drake Callender, the junior goalkeeper of the California Golden Bears men’s soccer team (6-9-2, 2-7 Pac-12), earned his fourth clean sheet of the season Sunday afternoon. He made a season-high seven saves in his side’s 2-0 win against the San Diego State Aztecs (6-10-1, 1-8 Pac-12).
The Aztecs outshot the Bears two-to-one—recording 16 shots—but as luck would have it, a majority fell off target.
Aztecs have the possession edge in the second half, but haven;t been able to create quality opportunities. 2-0 Cal in the 72nd minute
— SDSU Men's Soccer (@AztecMensSoccer) November 5, 2018
California scored its first goal in the 20th minute thanks to a well-timed cross from defender Christopher Grey to midfielder Taylor Davila. The one-touch goal was Davila’s second goal of the season.
Davila then paid it forward in the 40th minute with an assist to fellow midfielder Lucas Churchill. In a master class for set pieces, Davila placed a free kick over the entire Aztec defense, allowing Churchill to chip the charging goalkeeper Cameron Hogg to make it 2-0.
The goal was California redshirt freshman Churchill’s first career goal.
A disappointing season
Sunday’s match was a much-needed victory for the side from Berkeley, Calif. The Bears have endured a poor run of form recently, dropping its last six games—including five matches by just one goal.
Unfortunately for Head Coach Kevin Grimes, many players from his young side sat out conference matches this season with injuries.
California’s sole success in the Pac-12 this season has been a home-and-away sweep of last-place San Diego State.
The Golden Bears will close out the 2018 season with the Bay Area Derby at No. 6 Stanford. The derby airs Thursday at 6 p.m. PT on the Pac-12 Networks.
The Stanford Cardinal clinched a share of the Pac-12 title—the team’s fifth—with a 1-0 win over the UCLA Bruins Sunday night.