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Ripmaster scores game’s only goal as Bears win upset 

The California men’s soccer team outlasted the fourth-ranked Huskies, 1-0, Friday afternoon at Edwards Stadium in its Pac-10 home opener.  

California drew first blood as senior Austin Ripmaster slipped past two defenders and launched a shot from 20 feet out at 18:28 for his team-leading fifth goal of the season. It turned out to be the game winning goal as the Bears went on to win, 1-0, against their sixth nationally ranked opponent this season.  

“We were pushing hard to make their defense give us the ball on the counter-attack,” said Ripmaster. “Angel (Quintero) and (Chris) Roner stepped up, played it to Carl who slotted it perfectly with me and the keeper for a one-on-one chance. I was able to slip it past him.”  

UW had two great opportunities in the half. The first came in the 29th minute as Seth Marsh took a shot that went just over the cross bar.  

The other chance came when a shot was misdirected, landing in front of Kyle Fukuchi just five yards from goal. Kyle Navarro came to the defense as Saunders dove in to salvage an otherwise sure score.  

In the second stanza, the Huskies came out strong, forcing Cal back on its heels. UW controlled possession for most of the first five minutes but the Bears staved off the initial wave of attacks and settled in allowing five shots on goal the rest of the way. The battle was at midfield in what ultimately turned out to be a defensive battle in the second half for both sides.  

“Washington came out strong in the second half and put a lot of pressure on us” said coach Kevin Grimes. “We weren’t able to capitalize on the counterattack but our defense played solidly and we came out with the win.”  

The Bears defeated a ranked opponent for the second time this season after edging No. 14 San Jose State, 3-2, on Sept. 16. Cal hosts Oregon State Sunday at 2 p.m. at Edwards Stadium.