SHOWDOWN SHUTOUT

Saturday, September 19

Portland, OR

3:30 p.m.

California Baptist University

Concordia University (Ore.)

9/20/2009 4:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer

PORTLAND, Ore. --- Two weeks ago when California Baptist University climbed seven spots into the top spot of the NAIA Women's Soccer Coaches' Poll, there were many people in Portland, Ore., who had every reason to be upset.

And they probably were justified.

After all, their beloved Concordia was ranked No. 2 in the preseason poll and was undefeated. Yet the Cavaliers were bypassed by the Lancers in the first rating of the season and stayed at No. 2, even if only by one measly point.

Saturday was supposed to be the Cavaliers' chance to show the nation the voters got it wrong. Instead, in a showdown between the top two teams, the No. 1-ranked Lancers showed the nation that the voters indeed got it right.

Just 48 hours after being held scoreless for the first time this season in a tie with No. 10 Simon Fraser, CBU's offense returned to form scoring twice in a two-minute span midway through the first half. The Lancers then watched Emily Evanson come up with seven huge saves to roll to a resounding 3-0 road win over the Cavaliers in front of a crowd of nearly 400.

“This was a great collective effort, especially on the offensive end,” said CBU Head Coach Kristen St. Clair. “It was a difficult environment to play in, and the girls stepped up to the challenge and were ready for it. Our back four was rock-solid all day.”

The Lancers' seventh straight shutout runs their scoreless streak to 579 consecutive minutes and keeps them unbeaten at 7-0-1 with three of those wins coming against the nation's Nos. 1, 2 and 3-ranked teams.

“We look at the season in three stages, and we just finished the first stage,” said St. Clair. “This non-conference schedule has definitely prepared us tremendously for what lies ahead in the second stage of our season, the GSAC schedule. Now it's time to focus on playing in the best conference in the nation and that starts with Westmont next Saturday.”

Concordia, last year's national runners-up, fall to 7-1-0.

Freshman Eva Solis continued to impress registering a goal and an assist for the second time in three games. She now leads the team and is fourth in the NAIA with seven assists. Joanna Idom also had a goal and an assist.

Meanwhile, Evanson came up with big save after big save, including five in the second half. Her 18th career shutout sets a school-record, breaking Ashley Montgomery's previous record of 17 set in 2004.

“Emily came up with some world-class saves today,” said St. Clair. “Concordia is very good and came at us with an offensive formation, but Emily played very well and made some saves that gave her team a chance to win.”

CBU struck first when Kylee Nicassio converted a corner kick from Idom in the 25th minute. It was Nicassio's team-leading fifth goal of the season.

Exactly 2:02 later, Idom ripped a 20-yard shot into the upper right corner off an assist from Solis to double the Lancer advantage.

Solis then put the game on ice in the 71st minute when she beat a defender and hit an 18-yard shot into the upper right corner to complete the scoring. It was the sixth time in eight games that the Lancers scored at least three goals.

“Our goals were nice,” said St. Clair, “they definitely weren't cheap. The first 10 minutes was back and forth, but once we found our flow our work rate was exceptional. The girls came together today and got a big win. I'm excited for them.”