Stags Down Kingsmen To Make Tournament Final

Third-seeded CMS beat second-seeded Cal Lutheran 1-0 in the SCIAC Men's Soccer Tournament semifinals at Redlands on Thursday to advance to the championship game.  CMS will play at Redlands on Saturday, November 3 at 7:00.  The top-seeded Bulldogs beat fourth-seeded La Verne 3-0 to set up the final.  CMS and Redlands have faced each other twice this season with each team winning on its own field. Redlands won 1-0 on September 29 and CMS won 4-2 this past Monday.

CMS and Cal Lutheran met twice this year during the SCIAC season with the Kingsmen winning by one goal in each game.  It is always difficult to beat a team three teams in one season and, after battling to a 0-0 tie at halftime, the Stags proved it by striking early in the second half.  Griffin Halpern (SR, San Diego [pictured]) slipped a shot under the keeper less than a minute into the second 45 for what proved to be the game winner.  Although CMS was outshot 24-14 in the game, the Stags defense only allowed seven shots on goal.  Keeper Ryan Fahey (SO, Bellevue, WA) saved all seven shots and recorded his first and the team's fourth shutout of the season.

2007 is the inaugural year for the SCIAC Men's Soccer Tournament.  The winner of the tournament earns the SCIAC's automatic bid to the NCAA Championships.