California Baptist University
Cal State L.A.
FIT TO BE TIED
9/1/2007 7:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Box Score
RIVERSIDE, Calif. --- It is said that a scoreless tie is like kissing your sister, and for the most part, ties generally aren't the best result. California Baptist will pucker up on this one, though.
Senior keeper Adam Kramer made his first start of the season and didn't disappoint, making several spectacular saves in helping the Lancers to a well-earned scoreless draw with NCAA Division II No. 11-ranked Cal State L.A. on a scorching Saturday afternoon in Riverside.
The tie keeps the Lancers unbeaten thus far as they move to 2-0-1. Dating back to the final five games of last season, the Lancers are now 6-0-2 in their last eight.
The Golden Eagles are now 2-0-1 as well.
“There are just certain players who rise to the occasion when it's time to play and things are on the line, and Adam is one of those players,” said CBU head coach Shayon Jalayer. “He doesn't fear the game, and in fact, he thrives these types of situations.”
Kramer's first major test didn't come until the 71st minute when Kristian Gaustad curled a free kick from just on the top of the 18-yard box to the right post. It appeared as if the scoreless tie was about to be broken, but Kramer came out of nowhere, diving up to his left and pushing Cal State L.A.'s lone second-half shot wide.
“It's all about anticipation, and I just want to take away angles when I can,” said Kramer. “They came at us with some close-range shots. Our defenders did a good job of staying front of their guys all day and getting in front of shots. It was a good team effort.”
Having scored 10 goals in their first two games, and being out-shot 10-8 in the first 90 minutes, the Golden Eagles amped up the pressure in the first overtime, determined to get the game-winner. They out-shot the Lancers, 10-3, in overtime, including a 7-1 margin in the first 10 minutes of extra time alone. However, Kramer and his defenders were there every time. In the 93rd minute, Gaustad broke free on the left side and had nothing but Kramer standing between him and a sure win. Nevertheless, Kramer was not to be denied today, stuffing Gaustad's rip and preserving the shutout.
In all, Kramer, who converted from a field player to keeper late last year, nabbed eight saves for his first career shutout. He made half of his saves in extra time.
Tobias Hummel made five saves of his own for Cal State L.A. for his second shutout of the season. The Lancers did have their fair share of chances, including a golden chance in the 96th minute when a cross slid across the goalmouth, but an onrushing Fashinu-Ron Nesbeth sent a shot high.
“I am extremely pleased, because I wasn't too sure of what our back four and keeper situation was like,” said Jalayer. “This was a complete game by our defense. They showed they could handle pace and combination play and beyond that they did well with possession of the ball. We need to get better going forward, but that will come as we continue to work.”
Despite a 9 a.m. kickoff time, game-time temperatures reached well into triple-digits, forcing game administrators to call for a mandatory water break at the 20-minute mark in the second half. The game was originally scheduled for a 1 p.m. kickoff, but was moved to 9 a.m. late yesterday because of the extreme heat.
“In general this heat is not good for the game,” said Jalayer. “Bottom line, though, it showed the character of both teams. They both played all the way to the finish despite the circumstances.”
