The Cal men’s soccer team treks across the Bay to the Farm this Friday afternoon — but not to face off against Stanford.
The Bears (2-2-2) play against Vermont (5-1) as part of the Stanford Nike Classic, which also features the Cardinal and Harvard. Friday’s 4:30 p.m., tilt at Laird Q. Cagan Stadium will mark the first ever meeting between the Bears and Catamounts.
“We don’t do anything really special for them,” freshman midfielder Seth Casiple said. “Just working on playing good soccer and having that team chemistry.”
After three home games in the last two weekends, Cal is back on the road. The Bears’ last venture outside the friendly confines of Edwards Stadium resulted in zero wins — a goalless draw to Northwestern and a 4-1 loss to then-No. 4 Connecticut.
While Vermont has to fly cross-country, the Bears surely are happy that their travels include only a bus ride.
“Being at home is comfortable, you don’t have to deal with the travel or all the others fans,” Casiple said. “Going away definitely becomes a harder experience.”
Against Santa Clara last Friday, freshman Connor Hallisey’s first collegiate goal put Cal on the scoreboard first. Junior forward John Fitzpatrick managed to score another goal to tally his third goal of the season to lead the team; however the Bears conceded four. It could have been a field day for the Broncos had it not been for junior goalkeeper Robby Gogatz’s nine saves.
Cal will need to string together 90 minutes of consistent play, not just a few moments of brilliance. Many of those have included Casiple and his partnership with Fitzpatrick. Casiple provided the assists for all three goals in their 3-2 triumph over then-No. 15 Kentucky on Sept. 11, one of which was to Fitzpatrick.
Casiple, the Bears’ rookie standout so far this season, also set up Fitzpatrick last week.
“When Seth’s on the field, we can count on him to get us that ball in the final third,” Fitzpatrick said. “He sent in a great pass for my goal against Santa Clara, too.”
Cal will be needing his pinpoint passing in the midfield in order to break the Vermont defense. The squad’s junior goalkeeper Dave Ramada boasts a 0.17 goals against average, having allowed only one goal in six games. All five of the Catamounts’ victories have been shutouts.
“Being so young makes me more eager to contribute,” Casiple said. “I look to the older players for guidance and it really helps me on the field to perform.”
Even with all the optimism among the players, Cal coach Kevin Grimes noted that significant lineup changes have to be made. With the Pac-12 conference opener looming the following weekend, the squad will need to get back to the drawing board and ensure it is prepared.
“Our encounters against UCLA and San Diego State won’t be easy,” Fitzpatrick said. “But there is trust in this team and our coaching staff, it’ll all come together.”
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