California Baptist University
Lindsey Wilson College (Ky.)
LOUD AND CLEAR
8/27/2009 11:00:00 PM | Women's Soccer
With four non-conference games against teams all ranked in the top 13 of the NAIA Preseason Top 25, including each of the top three teams, the Lancers no doubt will be given every opportunity.
The first loud statement was made Thursday.
The NAIA's No. 8-ranked Lancers scored less than 10 minutes into the game and went on to completely dominate No. 3-ranked and two-time national champion Lindsey Wilson, defeating the Blue Raiders, 3-1, in the opening game of the Cougar Classic.
With the victory over the highest-ranked opponent in program history, the Lancers improve to 2-0 on the season. The Blue Raiders, who were 21-2 and NAIA semifinalists a season ago, fall to 1-1.
"I was expecting a much tighter game, but it's a tribute to the girls' effort," said CBU Head Coach Kristen St. Clair. "Their focus and preparation has been very good, and they were presented with an opportunity to make a statement, and they went out and ran with it against a very good, experienced team."
The tournament, which was supposed to be hosted by Azusa Pacific University, was moved to the Riverside campus because of a wildfire near the Azusa campus. With kickoff temperatures at 105 degrees, the Lancers, who have trained each afternoon in the heat, seemed right at home. And they were.
Sophomore All-GSAC Kylee Nicassio scored twice in the first 25 minutes, the Lancers out-shot the Blue Raiders, 18-5, Emily Evanson needed to make just one save, and the Lancers kept most of the possession forcing Lindsey Wilson to run all over the field. It all added up to a surprisingly easy win over the NAIA power.
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| Courtesy: Eric McFarland |
| Nicassio scored two goals in her first game of the season. |
Then, she doubled the effort in the 26th minute. She headed a ball towards frame that LWC keeper Carrie Evlett punched out. However, the ball came right back to Nicassio, who promptly headed right back into what was an open net for a 2-0 CBU lead.
"From a confidence standpoint, that 2-0 lead at the break was huge, but a 2-0 lead in soccer is dangerous. It can disappear in a hurry," said St. Clair.
The Lancers carried that lead and all the confidence in the world into the locker room and then wasted little time putting the game on ice, scoring just three minutes in. Eva Solis broke loose on the right side and rifled one of the Lancers' 10 shots on goal. Revlett made a diving save but the ball fell to the feet of Fabiola Zanella da Silva, who tucked in her first goal of the season.
"That early goal in the second half was huge because it gave us some breathing room," said St. Clair. "We are getting good numbers forward and creating opportunities and could have had two or three more."
CBU was just minutes away from registering a clean sheet when Lindsey Wilson rolled down the field on a counter attack. It was their first dangerous opportunity of the game, and it came with a little more than two minutes left. Julia Persson put the Blue Raiders on the board when she tapped home a cross from a Yolanda Hamilton.
"Lindsey Wilson is a good team and hard to contain," said St. Clair. "No lead against them is safe, and they continued to fight. You never like to give up a goal, but it will be a good learning experience for us moving forward."
Lindsey Wilson's first shot of the game didn't even come until the 33rd minute, and all three of their first-half shots were in a 52 second span but none were dangerous. Their first shot on frame was just one minute later and it was a slow roller from 35 yards out.
"We put our schedule together knowing there weren't going to be any easy games," said St. Clair. "We're off to a good start, but with this kind of schedule, you can only focus on one game at a time. It is a step forward, but now we have to start preparing for (No. 1-ranked) Lee, which will be no easy task."
The Lancers take on the defending national champion Lee Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at Azusa Pacific University.
