California Baptist University
UNLV
SNAKE EYES
8/22/2009 9:45:00 PM | Men's Soccer
LAS VEGAS, Nev. --- It's only two matches into the season, but it seems as if Jonathan Garcia and California Baptist University already have a flair for the dramatic.
For the second straight Saturday, Garcia scored a late goal to save the Lancers from defeat, scoring in the 88th minute to force overtime and eventually salvage a 1-1 tie at NCAA Division I UNLV.
Last week, Garcia scored in the 82nd minute in a 1-1 tie with Cal State San Bernardino. Today, he did it in the 88th minute.
"This was very similar to our last match, but UNLV is more athletic," said CBU Head Coach Ryan Jorden. "We had to do more athletically today and I'm pleased with the work we put in. They competed and fought. Once we got through the first 15 minutes, we settled in and began to play, which is always a positive."
The Lancers are now 0-0-2 overall and take on NCAA Division I UC Riverside next Saturday at 7 p.m. Today's game was just an exhibition for the Rebels.
After a scoreless first half where the teams combined for just eight shots, UNLV, which was picked to finish fourth in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, struck first in the 70th minute. All-MPSF Nicholas DeLeon carried the ball into the left side of the area and ripped a low shot that snuck past Lancer keeper Jeff Redinger and just inside the near post.
The Lancers had a couple of quality chances, including one in the 61st minute when Tiburcio Casillas played a nice ball into the box. Tim Wardell got on the end of it but his header was just wide. Just 1:33 later, the Rebels nearly scored, but Jonny Espinoza's header was cleared off the line.
With less than three minutes left, the Lancers earned a corner kick when Spenser Steele's shot was blocked across the end line. The ensuing corner was whipped across the box. Tyler Mitchell headed it back into the middle, and the ball landed at the feet of Garcia, who whacked a shot into the open net for the equalizer.
"If we need an equalizer, Jonathan's our guy," said Jorden. "He has gotten his money's worth on his two goals this year. He hit it clean today."
In the first overtime, the Rebels nearly found the game winner when Nick Marshall broke loose on a breakaway. However, Redinger came up with a point blank save to keep the game equalized.
The Rebels out-shot the Lancers, 15-7, and had nine corner kicks, but Redinger came up with four saves.
