Last Minute Heartache

Wednesday, September 17

Riverside

3:00 PM

California Baptist University

2-3

Cal State L.A.

5-0

OT 3

OT 4

Cal State LA

California Baptist

Photo by: Michael Sampson

9/17/2014 7:15:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

By: Sammi Sheppard, Director of Sports Information

RIVERSIDE, Calif. --- When it comes to soccer, sometimes it can be a cruel and humbling sport. Wednesday afternoon, California Baptist University felt the cruelty with just 45 seconds left on the clock, dropping a double overtime 2-1 loss to Cal State Los Angeles.

With the result, CBU falls to 2-3 on the season, while the Golden Eagles remain undefeated with a perfect 5-0 record.

"I thought we were the better team on the day and were unfortunate to not get the extra goal," said head coach Kristen St. Clair. "We had an uncharacteristic slow start, but I was proud of the girls for fighting back into the game against a good Cal State L.A. team."

The Golden Eagles put on the offensive pressure early, firing off two unanswered goals in the first 10 minutes of action. Kimberly Allard gave the Lancers their first dangerous chance in the 13th minute, but Cal State L.A.'s goalkeeper made a diving stop to keep the home team off the board.

Five minutes later, freshman Sara Escobedo came out on a breakaway to make a point-blank save to keep the game scoreless.

Looking like the two teams would head into halftime deadlocked at 0-0, Kailey Nishimura, fresh off the bench, broke through the Golden Eagle defense to get a shot on frame. The goalkeeper made the save, but couldn't hang on to the ball, giving Chaylin Couzens the green light to tuck the rebound into the back of the net.

"Our bench really gave us a spark today," said St. Clair. "Kailey started with a great run to get a shot on target. Chaylin finished the run and was awarded to with the follow through. We're fortunate to have the depth we do. Any player can score on any given day. Any player can make a difference. The bench gave us a lift and helped us reestablish our game."

With momentum in their favor, the Lancers were hungry for another goal and gave CSULA not one, but two close scares 20 minutes into the second half. Mikala Gillis fired off a rocket of a shot in the 63rd minute to force the Golden Eagle goalkeeper to parry it wide of the net, surrendering a corner kick.

Since Cal State L.A. couldn't clear the ball from the danger zone, Lindsay Vesling fired off another shot in the 64th minute, again forcing the goalkeeper to push it wide.

"We created opportunities and had our chances," said St. Clair. "We continued to fight through the game and put in good work."

The Golden Eagles found the equalizer, however, in the 75th minute. Heather Williams found an open Jackeline Lopez to slot it home and even the game at 1-1.

Intensity built in the last 15 minutes as both teams fought to end the game before the extra time periods, but overtime was eminent as the clock hit the 90-minute mark.

Allard looked to seal the deal three minutes into the first golden goal period, beating two defenders to get a look on frame. The senior striker ripped off a shot heading to the near post, but it bounced off the post instead of finding net. Justene Kesterson followed up the rebound with a header, but was slightly off target.

In the final overtime period, the Golden Eagles kept their win streak alive, scoring in the last 45 seconds of the game. Norie Pablo sent a through ball to Amalia Arvidsson. Sitting behind the Lancer defense, Arvidsson collected the through pass for a one-on-one breakaway with Escobedo, tucking it in to end the game 2-1 in favor of Cal State L.A.

"This is why we put together a tough nonconference schedule though," said St. Clair. "We're working hard and continuing to get sharper in preparation for conference."

The Lancers have one final tuneup before they begin PacWest action on the road at Dixie State onest week, first taking on a local foe in Cal State San Bernardino. CBU and the Coyotes kick off Saturday in San Bernardino, beginning at 2:00 p.m.