A contest was promised, and a contest was delivered.
It was a much anticipated head-to-head: No. 1 Cal men’s soccer team(7-0-2, 1-0-1 Pac-12) vs. No. 3 Washington (7-0-3, 1-0-1 Pac-12).
The game proved to be just as competitive as the stats suggest — a clash of titans that was ultimately too close to call, with the game finishing in a 1-1 tie.
“They’re a physical team, and it’s always a battle with them,” said Cal’s Connor Hallisey, who scored the Bears’ lone goal.
The high ranking of both teams promised a fast-paced game of soccer, and both teams brought their A-game, the low scoreline demonstrating the strong competition within the game rather than a lack of action.
The Bears started the game with intent and looked in control of the ball, and their efforts were rewarded at 20 minutes, when they were given a free kick in a strong attacking position. Hallisey’s resulting take was exemplary, with a swirling strike that sailed passed the defensive wall and the goalkeeper’s outstretched hands to nestle in the left corner.
“Anytime it’s on the right side of the field, it’s the perfect time for a left-footer to put in a swinger,” Hallisey said. “It worked out well for me.”
The greatest attacking threat of the Washington team going into the game was its flip throw from Michael Harris, whose acrobatic skill can propel balls from the halfway line to the penalty box. This danger, however, was adequately dealt with by a Cal defense that was constantly on hand to head the ball away.
A chance came for the Huskies two minutes into the second half from just such a ball, and although it created a momentary concern for the Bears, the resulting shot was aptly saved by Cal’s goalkeeper, Justin Taillole.
“We prepared for it well — it was something that we worked on in training,” Taillole said.
This threatening start from the Huskies became the theme of the game after the break as a result of Cal’s second-half strategy, which looked to consolidate in defense rather than push forward to extend the lead. This Washington offensive play created some close calls for the Bears, but a confident display from Taillole meant the visiting team struggled to convert chances into goals.
The pressure against Cal continued to mount, and a Washington goal seemed in the cards. The goal came rather contentiously with five minutes to go in a corner and a clear shot that finally evaded Taillole. The Cal defense’s mistake was allegedly a result of illegal play by the visiting team, with a pick on Bears’ veteran defender Steve Birnbaum.
“It looked like Steve got completely picked,” said coach Kevin Grimes. “Steve’s never going to leave a guy that wide open. It’s just impossible — he’s too good of a player.”
Regardless of the controversy, Washington got the goal and kept the momentum going into overtime, and the situation was tense for the home team. the Bears kept their composure, though, and with a few good shots in the box, they were unfortunate not to come away with the win.
The game ended in the drama that was indicative of the match as a whole: a free kick for the Bears on the corner of the penalty box with less than a minute to go. The take by Christian Dean came to nothing in the end, but the match demonstrated the caliber of both sides. In a high-pressure atmosphere, the Bears pulled through and maintained their unbeaten record.
Daniella Mogilner covers men’s soccer. Contact her at [email protected].