- San Ramon, CA
On Saturday evening, Academica traveled over the Altamont to take on San Ramon FC. Academica was just coming off an US Open Cup First Round loss to El Farolito midweek while San Ramon had dispatch Napa Valley 1-0 the previous weekend. AC and SRFC had just faced each other on April 28th, where Academica secured 3 points thanks to a late game winner to end it 3-2. SRFC was looking for revenge this match on their home field and for much of the match it looked like they might just get their desire.
From the first whistle, SRFC controlled much of the game. They were able to move the ball side to side while dealing with Academica’s high press formation. San Ramon’s Simon Rawnsley and Octavio Guzman were linking up well in SRFC’s attack and AC had trouble dealing with the duo. Their connection paid off in the 6’ when a back pass to Academica’s GK Alonso Lara resulted in a miss-hit clearance due to Rawnsley’s pressure. The ball fell to Guzman’s feet at the top of the 18 and he was able to chip it into the empty net and over the outstretched Lara. This opened up the scoring for SRFC and they kept up the pressure. AC were finding some success on the counter with Cody Golbad getting into a 1 on 1 with the goalie but his shot was saved. The score remained the same going into half time as AC looked to turn this game around.
Coach Sousa’s halftime talk seemed to boost the squad as AC came out roaring and pinned SRFC in their own half in the opening minutes. Their confidence was short lived as San Ramon struck again off the Rawnsley-Guzman connection. A long ball over the top found Rawnsley on the top of the 18 where he was able to control the ball into the path of Guzman who fired a rocket into the back of the net to make it 2-0 to SRFC in the 49’.
The game seemed to change after the goal as SRFC took their foot off the gas and AC was able to get back into the game thanks to good build up on the left wing that led to a ball across goal that Golbad was able to tap home for his 4th of the season in the 64’. Academica took control of the game from there and created multiple opportunities that came close to equalizing the match. They would have to wait till the 83’ to see their efforts rewarded as Arnaldo Gutierrez put his head on the end of a corner kick to make it 2-2. That scoreline held till the final whistle and both teams left with a point.
Academica hosts conference leaders FC Davis on May 18th at 6 pm while San Ramon travels to Wine Country to take on Sonoma Sol the same day.