University of California Athletics

BERKELEY – California men's soccer concluded its 2016 season in an overtime Bay Area Derby battle against No. 8 Stanford in front of a large Veterans' Day crowd at Goldman Field.
 
The Golden Bears (5-10-2, 1-8-1 Pac-12) fell 2-1 to the Pac-12 champion Cardinal (11-3-4, 8-1-1) giving up the series in back to back seasons.
 
In true Senior Day fashion, graduating defender Trevor Long knocked in the first goal of his collegiate career to tie things at 1-1.
 
Long's celebratory effort would not be enough for Cal to keep the momentum as Stanford's Foster Langdorf ended the game and Cal's season scoring in the 97' of action.
 
A hard-fought season for the Bears ends without a playoff run for consecutive years and after losing eight conference matches by a one-goal deficit. The Bears had sparks throughout the season including downing two top-25 teams, but many closely contested battles ended unfavorably.
 
Cal will lose six to graduation including scoring leader and Academic All-District selection Christian Thierjung, along with starters Nick Lima and Trevor Haberkorn, as well as redshirt juniors Tommy Padia and Chris Argueta who, along with Long, waived their final year of playing eligibility.
 
Lima and Thierjung each picked up a Pac-12 Player of the Week honor during the season, while Thierjung also walks away as Cal's single-game goal record holder (5).
 
"We're so proud of our six seniors," said head coach Kevin Grimes. "All six of them had a great game today and influenced the game tremendously. We're so happy that they were a part of our program for the last four years. We're going to miss them dearly. We appreciate everything they've done for us. They've been fantastic."
 
For more information on Cal men's soccer follow the team @CalMensSoccer on Twitter and Instagram and like the Cal Men's Soccer page on Facebook.