Photo c. University of Redlands

REDLANDS, CA -- The UC Santa Cruz men's soccer team can handle the second-ranked Division III school in the nation. This Saturday, the Banana Slugs will get a shot at the nation's top dogs. With over 200 Banana Slugs faithful in the stands for Sunday's WesternRegional final between UCSC and host University of Redlands, the Slugs handed the No. 2 Bulldogs their first shutout of the season, 1-0, and advanced to the Final Eight of the NCAA D-III Men's Soccer Championship for the first time in school history.

"This is a special moment because the character these guys showed over the weekend was truly inspiring," Slugs coach Paul Holocher said. "They had a warrior mentality." The Slugs will need to preserve that warrior mentality for this weekend, when they travel to San Antonio, Texas, to face the top-ranked D-III school in the nation, undefeated Trinity University.

"We feel it's a great opportunity (to play Trinity). We get to see what the No. 1 team in the nation is like, and, as the underdog, we feel we can give them a game and go on to compete in the Final Four," Holocher said.

Sunday's game was scoreless until the 81st minute as both teams struggled to keep their footing on a field dampened by overnight rain. In the 81st, Slug Bryan Baird received a direct pass from the backline on the right side and was cut off by a defender, but was able to cross the ball to Kevin Anderson, who beat goalie Geoff Raives for the score.

Outside midfielders Josh Lederer and Sam Krow-Lucal anchored the Slugs' defense, which limited the Bulldogs to just two shots on goal, both of which were stopped by goalie Dan Chamberlain. Subs Eric Bucchere, Timmy Anderson and Adam Smarte provided valuable minutes off the bench, Holocher said.

"They showed complete lion heart, winning 50-50 battles, dominating in the air, structuring against Redlands and Linfield with passion and energy, a tremendous effort," Holocher said, referring to the team's two wins at the Western Regional. "We are competing to get to the final four in the nation. Everybody on this team doesn't want this season to end."