California Baptist University
Westmont College (Calif.)
INTO THE SEMIS
11/3/2010 11:48:00 PM | Men's Soccer
RIVERSIDE, Calif. --- Up until this year, California Baptist University Head Coach Ryan Jorden had never beaten his alma mater.
Now, he's nicked them twice, and this one not only gave his Lancers their first-ever playoff win but put them into GSAC Tournament Semifinals.
Behind the stellar net minding of freshman Joey Pacheco and an 84th minute penalty kick from Heitor Santarem, the second-seed Lancers dropped seventh-seed Westmont, 1-0, Wednesday in the opening round of the GSAC Postseason Tournament.
Up next for the Lancers is a rematch with 16th-ranked and third-seed Azusa Pacific Saturday at Lancer Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.
The Lancers defeated the Cougars, 1-0, Oct. 16.
Making just his fourth appearance and second start of the season, Pacheco stood on his head twice in the final eight minutes, once to keep the game scoreless and the other to keep the Lancers in front. He finished with five saves for his second career shutout.
"I knew I wouldn't be getting a lot of chances this year playing behind two great seniors, but I know I have to be ready when I do get the call," said Pacheco.
And was he ever.
Westmont took few chances, getting just nine shots in 90 minutes. Most of them were from distance, but two in the waning moments weren't. In the 82nd minute of a scoreless game, Westmont's Isaac Thompkins found himself at the far post on the end of a service. His low header from about five feet out was headed to the near post, but Pacheco went down to smother it.
Then after Santarem converted his seventh goal of the season with 6:19 to play, the Warriors nearly equalized 1:25 later. After a nice 1-2 in the middle of the field, Emmanuel Akyen ripped a ball to the far post. Pacheco went airborne to his right and pushed the ball wide.
"I left the far post open a little hoping he'd go there. He did and I was able to get to it," said Pacheco. "I didn't find out until last night I was going today, so I knew that I had to keep doing what I've been doing in training."
"Even though he hasn't played a ton this year, he's grown and matured, and he showed why we went with him today," said Jorden. "We want to put our best team on the field each game and that team changes and evolves with each game. We know we've got a really good keeper in Joey. It really is a testament, though, to the other two as well, because as a group, our three keepers have worked hard to make each other better."
The Lancers ripped 17 shots and put six on frame but couldn't break through until late.
In the 84th minute, Tiburcio Casillas got the ball on the right side. He touched it past Peter Schmetz's left side and worked his way around Schmetz's right side. As he sprinted by the 6-6 defender, Schmetz brought Casillas down in the box, and the Lancers were awarded a penalty kick.
Santarem beat Matthew McNab with what turned out be the game's only goal. It was all the Lancers needed.
"The guys did exactly what we asked of them today," said Jorden. "We dictated what we wanted. We stayed patient, kept working hard and didn't compromise our defensive shape to put ourselves at risk."
It was the Lancers' 10th shutout of the season.
