BERKELEY, Calif. – Dominican men's soccer gained valuable experience in its first every contest with an NCAA Division I opponent in Cal during a 5-0 loss Monday afternoon at Edwards Stadium. 

The Penguins were overwhelmed by the Golden Bears early on as the talented and battle tested team from the ACC as Alfredo Ortiz recorded a brace in the first 12 minutes as Cal took a 4-0 lead. Dominican also tallied an early chance as Thomas Van Schoor was able to get a shot on frame in the seventh minute, but Marco Brougher made the save in the center of his net.

The game settled down as Cal subbed in some younger players and the Penguins were able to generate a bit more of an attack. One of the best chances came in the 39th minute as Patrick Zamora Salazar made a good run down the right side and crossed a ball back into the center of the box where Joe Blakely leapt and got a head on the ball redirecting it towards the back post but it trickled wide and the score remained unchanged at the break.

The Bears added to their lead in the 50th minute as Eli Wachs found Israel Cortez on a low cross past the face of the goal to extend the lead to 5-0. Freddie Allen had a pair of chances for Dominican in the 54th and 55th minute as he went shot towards the bottom-right corner of the net but Thomas Grimes made a pair of saves for Cal. 

Another good scoring chance came in the 85th minute as Lex Bernier loosed a left-footed shot towards the left post but missed by inches from the breakthrough goal. Anthony Stainer had the last chance for the Penguins as he tried to beat Ryan Savoie on a shot to the far post, but Savoie made the diving save to preserve the combined shutout. 

Dominican will return home Thursday to face Chico State on Thursday at 3 p.m. at Kennelly Field.