Cal Falls to Pacific 2-1 In San Jose

SAN JOSE, Calif. - The Cal men's soccer team took an early lead over Pacific thanks to Wyatt Meyer's fourth-minute goal on Thursday night at PayPal Park, the home of Major League Soccer's San Jose Earthquakes. But the Golden Bears ultimately lost to the Tigers, 2-1.

Cal's record stands at 2-2-1 after the nonconference match. Pacific has a 3-1-0 record.

Things looked rosy when Meyer scored his second goal of the season from an Evan Davila assist to lift the Bears to a 1-0 lead. His shot took a deflection off a Tiger and snuck past goalkeeper Eric Cotton for the goal. The strike marked the second straight game in which the Bears scored within the first five minutes.
 
But a Cal foul in the box resulted in a Pacific penalty kick in the 13th minute. Emory Rapaport converted the PK to tie the game.
 
In the 17th minute, Ryan Her scored from close range to give Pacific a 2-1 lead.
 
Goalkeeper Chris Gustini made two saves for the Bears in the first half, when Pacific outshot Cal, 8-2. Collin Travasos made two saves for Cal in the last 45 minutes, as the Bears outshot the Tigers, 7-4.
 
In the 84th minute, Cal earned an indirect free kick in the Pacific box. The ball eventually wound up with Evan Davila, who saw his shot deflected over the endline for a Cal corner kick. After the corner, Cal defender Ian Lonergan corralled the ball deep in the box, but his shot went high.
 
At 89:27, Juan Martinez took another Cal free kick, but his ensuing shot went wide, and the Bears took the 2-1 loss.
 
"Playing at PayPal Park is always an incredible experience," Cal head coach Kevin Grimes said. "We have to thank the San Jose Earthquakes for hosting us and giving us this wonderful opportunity."

Cal returns to action on Sept. 16, when the Bears open Pac-12 Conference play at San Diego State.