U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. — McKendree University opened its 2021 season by setbacks versus Division III No. 4 California Lutheran University, 18-13, and Division III No. 2 Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges, 10-5, at the Rare Air Challenge hosted by the United States Air Force Academy at the Academy’s Cadet Natatorium.
The Bearcats, who went 7-0 during the COVID-19 shortened 2020-21 season that was played in the Spring, recorded 14 shots and scored 13 goals versus Cal Lutheran, but was outshot 18-14 and outscored in each half (11-8 in the first half; 7-5 in the second half).
Against Cal Lutheran, graduate transfer Uros Pelemis (Belgrade, Serbia/Fresno Pacific University) had an impressive debut as he took four shots and scored a game-high tying four goals. In addition to Pelemis, senior Nico Rodriguez (Bogota, Colombia/Oviedo) added three goals and four shots, while senior Josh Carlson (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln Way West) and senior Matthew Haygood (Chino Hills, Calif./Chino Hills) both notched two goals.
Fifth-year senior Chava Osorio (San Bernardino, Calif./Cajon) scored the first goal of the season just 52 seconds in the game, but the Kingsmen answered with four consecutive strike to take a 4-1 lead. Carlson terminated the CLU flurry of goals with a marker at the 1:49 mark, but CLU closed the quarter with two more goals to take a 6-2 lead.
The Bearcats opened the second quarter by scoring four consecutive goals, including back-to-back tallies by Rodriguez. Following McKendree’s flurry to open the frame, CLU racked up five of the final seven goals of second quarter to carry an 11-8 lead into halftime.
Both teams combined to score just three goals in the third quarter as Cal Lutheran led 13-9 heading into the final eight minutes. In the final quarter, CLU scored five of the first six goals to extend its lead to 18-10. Pelemis tallied two goals and Haygood added the final score of the game.
Dillon Goldsmith paced Cal Lutheran with four goals, while Ben Brown and Cole Weiderman each had three goals. Donald Nicol and Lincoln tallied two goals each.
Fifth-year senior Ori Scanlon (Orlando, Fla./Olympia) played the entire game in goal for the Bearcats, while Daniel Johnson played the all 32 minutes in goal for the Kingsmen.
Facing the Stags of Claremont-Mudd-Scripps in the second game, the Bearcats were outshot 14-10 as CMS was able to overcome McKendree.
Rodriguez paced the Bearcats with two goals, while Pelemis, Haygood and fifth-year senior Andrew Serrano (Riverside, Calif./Poly) each had a marker in the loss.
The Stags jumped in front 2-0 in the first quarter, but the Bearcats balanced the scoreboard at two-all prior to the close of the opening eight minutes. However, Claremont-Mudd-Scripps outscored the Bearcats, 4-1 in the second quarter to snag a 6-3 lead by halftime.
Leading 8-4 after three quarters of action, Claremont-Mudd-Scripps pumped in back-to-back strikes to open the fourth quarter and acquire a 10-4 lead. Rodriguez capped the scoring on a man-advantage goal with 1:34 left in the game as McKendree fell by a 10-5 final score.
Will Clark and CJ Box each paced CMS with three goals each in the win.
Scanlon played all 32 minutes in goal for the Bearcats, while Noah Smith also played 32 minutes in goal for CMS.
Information courtesy McKendree University Athletics Communications
