California Baptist University
Biola University (Calif.)
DOWN AND OUT
10/24/2007 7:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Box Score
RIVERSIDE, Calif. --- California Baptist has experienced its fair share of heartbreaking losses this year. After all, the Lancers came into today's crucial GSAC match with Biola coming off three straight one-goal setbacks, two of which were in double overtime.
Today's defeat, though, is the most crushing.
Biola's Ryan Parker converted on one of the Eagles' few chances in the 62nd minute, and the Eagles staved off a relentless CBU attack to sneak away with an all-important 1-0 win Wednesday.
The loss is the Lancers' sixth in a row as they fall to 6-9-1 overall, 2-7-0 (6 points) GSAC, and it also eliminates them from the playoffs. CBU needed to win each of its final two games, and it would have more than likely locked up the eighth and final playoff spot in next week's NAIA Region II Playoffs. Instead, the Lancers will now attempt to play spoiler as it travels to playoff hopeful Westmont Saturday. A CBU win could likely eliminate the Warriors from the playoffs.
Of the Lancers' nine defeats this year, six of them have been by just one goal.
Biola, which hasn't won in Riverside in 10 years, keeps its playoff hopes alive as it improves to 7-10, 3-6 (9 points) and moves into a tie for seventh in the conference with Westmont. The GSAC will likely get seven teams in the eight-team playoff field.
Such is soccer. The Lancers out-shot the Eagles, 19-7, and limited the Eagles to a just a few opportunities. The Lancers controlled the run of play, and virtually won every part of the game, except for the one that mattered most?the scoreboard.
After getting out-shot 7-1 in the first 45 minutes, the Eagles began to move forward into the attack. In the 62nd minute, Ryan Brodmann carried a ball to the end line and before it snuck out for a goal kick, he was able to send a cross through the box. A wide open Jake Ravenscraft headed the ball back to the other side where Parker found himself with the ball and nothing between him and his sixth goal of the year.
Instantly the Lancers moved forward, changed formations and began a relentless pursuit for the equalizer. They had their chances, but it never came, and the chances that seemed hopeful were squashed by Eagle keeper Tyler Higgins, who nabbed five of his six saves in the second half.
