Rocket Power

Tuesday, October 21

Riverside

3:00 PM

California Baptist University

8-4-2, 6-0-2PacWest

Fresno Pacific

5-6-1, 5-2-1PacWest

Fresno Pacific

California Baptist

Photo by: Leigh Ann Lindsey

10/21/2014 6:40:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

By: Sammi Sheppard, Director of Sports Information

RIVERSIDE, Calif. — California Baptist University came out firing on all cylinders Tuesday afternoon, defeating Fresno Pacific 3-1.

The Lancers outshot the Sunbirds 27-to-8 to move to 8-4-2 on the season, 6-0-2 in the PacWest. FPU falls to 5-6-1 and 5-2-1 with the loss.

"I think we played well," said head coach Kristen St. Clair. "The team was prepared to play. We outshot them, we were just unlucky with a misclearance. Credit to them for finishing it though."

After the Sunbirds caught the Lancers off guard in the 26th minute to take an early 1-0 lead, CBU answered back in the 34th minute. Lindsay Vesling showed tenacity in the box, putting herself in a position to score off a scramble in the 18-yard box. FPU couldn't quite get a clear out of the box, allowing Vesling to get a foot on it and even the game at 1-1.

"We talk about no peaks and no valleys, meaning that whether we're up a goal or down one, our performance stays the same," said St. Clair. "We were able to create a lot of great opportunities and the players were rewarded for their efforts."

Coming out of halftime still deadlocked at 1-1, despite the Lancers holding a 14-to-1 shot advantage, Justene Kesterson gave CBU the go-ahead goal in the 48th minute. Kimberly Allard drove in a cross from the left side of the field, where Kesterson got her head on the end of it to send it into the back of the net.

Seconds later, FPU threatened on the other side of the field, but Sara Escobedo came up big, parrying it just wide of the goal. FPU got a shot on goal off the following corner kick, but once again Escobedo made the stop to keep the Sunbirds from tying the game.

CBU kept pushing forward and got a big insurance goal in the 61st minute. Lauren Wallberg found Allard alone at the top of the box and laid off a weighted ball with the outside of her foot. Allard then fired off a rocket of a shot, tucking it into the uppermost right pocket of the goal, where it wrapped itself into the net.

"Wow," siad St. Clair of Allard's goal. "Kim is a special player. That's a world class goal. There aren't many that can do that. She did a great job keeping composure and striking the ball well. She's a dangerous striker, she can score from anywhere."

"I saw my opportunity to shoot, so I did," said Allard of her goal. "After I scored, I hugged Lauren right away because she was very encouraging to me when I did miss. She kept telling me to keep my head up and then I finally scored. My team is very supportive of each other and it helps keep us motivated to work for each other."

CBU closed out the rest of the half to hold onto the 3-1 win and will get a few days rest before hosting rival Azusa Pacific on Saturday. The Lancers, who now sit in second place in the PacWest standings, and the Cougars face off at 2:30 p.m.

"We need to continue to focus on our consistency and be prepared and ready to play," said St. Clair. "We're continuing to put our best foot forward and put together complete 90 minute games."