California Baptist University
Cal State Monterey Bay
DYNAMIC DEBUT
9/14/2011 1:18:00 AM | Men's Soccer
RIVERSIDE, Calif. --- Michael Salazar has waited two weeks to make his debut. It took him all of four minutes to make an impact.
Just hours after learning his eligibility issues had been resolved and he had been cleared to play, Salazar factored in both goals, and California Baptist University pitched its first shutout of the season in a 2-0 non-conference win over Cal State Monterey Bay Tuesday afternoon.
"We know Michael is an impact player, and it's great to finally get him into the team and get him out there to see how he can help us," said CBU Head Coach Ryan Jorden.
Four minutes after being inserted into the game as a substitute, Salazar was fouled by Otter keeper Sam Campanelli in the box in the 31st minute, setting up the Lancers' third penalty kick in the first four games. Willie Rupert made it a perfect 3-for-3 to give the Lancers a 1-0 advantage.
Salazar then doubled the lead with his first career goal, giving the Lancers a big insurance tally in the 59th minute. He found himself in the middle of the box, getting the slightest of touches on the end of a cross from Jonathan Fausto after a nice build up by the Lancers.
Cole Schmit started the buildup with a perfectly played ball from the middle of the field out to the right side to Fausto.
"I was excited to finally get a chance to play," said Salazar, who is a member of the Belize National Team system. "It can't get much better than scoring in your debut. After missing the first three games, it was nice to be out there and help the team win."
Meanwhile, while Salazar and the Lancers were wreaking havoc on the Otter defense, out-shooting them 14-6, the Lancer defense, which set a program record with 10 clean sheets last year, worked hard at getting their first shutout of the season.
Joey Pacheco needed to make just three saves for his third career shutout. The Otters got just three shots in each half, none of them overly threatening.
"We've flirted with being good defensively this year, but today we did the things that are required to shut a team out," said Jorden. "We made it hard for them to play. Anytime you do that, you put yourself in a good position to win."
The win is the Lancers' second straight as they improve to 2-2 on the season. The Otters take their first loss, falling to 1-1-1. CBU hosts Academy of Art Saturday in its first-ever Pacific West Conference game at 3 p.m.
