California Baptist University
Dixie State
Strong Finish
11/10/2013 2:13:00 AM | Men's Soccer
RIVERSIDE, Calif. – It was clear when Alex Anderson, Marc Hope and Cole Schmit left the field to a round of cheers with about 14 minutes to play Saturday that California Baptist University's Senior Day went well.
In its regular-season and PacWest finale, the Lancers scored two goals in the opening three minutes and added another nine minutes into the second half to cruise to a 3-0 victory over Dixie State. The sizable lead allowed Anderson, Hope and Schmit – three of six CBU seniors – to receive an ovation in their final regular-season game.
“The seniors have been the foundation for this program and really helped turn it around,” head coach Gregg Schroeder said. “They're a really fun group of guys to be around. The rest of the guys love each and every one of them and loves playing with them.”
CBU finished the regular season with a 10-5-1, 9-3 in PacWest record. Dixie State finished the year with a 2-11-3, 1-9-2 mark.
While the senior Lancers, which include Jonathan Fausto, John Barrow and Joey Pacheco, have accomplished a lot in the NAIA, NCCAA and PacWest over the past four years, they hope to add another line to their resume this postseason.
“We're hopeful that Monday we'll find out this win will get us into the NCAA regional tournament this year,” Schroeder said. “If we get in, these seniors would be setting records across the board.“
Anderson played crucial roles in the Lancers' first two goals, while Hope assisted on one goal and helped set up another. As he's done the past four years, Pacheco anchored the defense and picked up the shutout, with a pair of big saves late in the game.
It was not just the senior Lancers that got in on the action, though, as sophomore Braedan Pilcher scored the first and final goals of the game.
“Pilcher was in the right place at the right time and had good finishes,” Schroeder said. “Braeden will put himself in good positions all the time, and that's part of being a striker.”
It took less than two minutes for CBU to open the scoring, as Anderson sprinted down the right side of the field and fired a low cross through the middle of Dixie State's six-yard box. At the other end of the pass was Pilcher, who one-timed the shot into the top shelf for a 1-0 advantage just a minute and a half into the contest.
A minute later, Anderson found the back of the net himself. Hope split two Red Storm defenders with a through ball, giving Anderson a breakaway look at goal. Anderson's first shot was stopped but not controlled by the Dixie State goalkeeper, allowing Anderson to knock the deflection home for a 2-0 lead.
With 36 minutes to play, the Lancers upped their lead to three goals. It started with Hope making a run down the left side of the field onto a well-placed through ball from Schmit. Hope touched his way past his mark into the box before laying the ball back to Pilcher, who finished the play from about 20 yards out with a shot near post.
