Leaving Everything on the Field

Thursday, November 16

Wichita Falls, Texas

2:00 PM

California Baptist University

17-1-2

Cal Poly Pomona

17-5

Cal Poly Pomona

California Baptist

Photo by: Sammi Wellman

Leaving Everything on the Field

11/16/2017 5:07:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

By: Sammi Wellman, Director of Sports Information

WICHITA FALLS, Texas — As it has all year, No. 2-ranked California Baptist University dominated the run of play in Thursday's NCAA Division II West Region Finale. Unfortunately for the Lancers, Cal Poly Pomona scored a quick goal and wouldn't allow one on the other end to take the 1-0 result.

The Lancers – who went undefeated in the regular season for the first time in program history – finish the year with a 17-1-2 mark with their only loss of the year. The Broncos advance to the quarterfinals with a 17-5-0 record.

"CPP is a good team," said Coach Coe Michaelson. "I thought they had two good opportunities: Edgar Benitez made a good save once and they got a goal on the other one, unfortunately. This was one of those days – we haven't had one of those this year either – where you create chances and for whatever reason, it just doesn't fall for you. It's unfortunate that today was the day that happened to us, but credit to them, they defended hard, got a little help from the woodwork, and we missed some chances."

"I think we've had a great year overall," added senior defender Dario Garcia. "We've been in this situation before where we've been down and we've come back, so it's tough. I think part of the reason we've had such a successful season was because the mentality and faith that we've had in each other, the belief that we can win despite the score or the situation."

Less than a minute in, Aidan Apodaca forced the Bronco goalkeeper to make a save early. It resulted in back-to-back corner kicks, but the ball just wouldn't go in.

Exactly 11 minutes into the game, CPP countered and scored on a breakaway to take a 1-0 lead.

It lit something in the Lancers as they were hungry for the equalizer, but shots were just off the mark. Chris Heckenberg had an excellent chance with just over five minutes left in the first half, firing off a rocket of a shot that was just a tiny bit too high.

Coming out of the break determined to tie the game up at 1-1, the Lancers pressured early. Joey Chica came up just unlucky as his shot from inside the 18-yard box pinged off the crossbar.

The Bronco defense came up solid, blocking nine CBU attempts in the game, but the Lancers kept fighting. CBU had 10 corner kicks in the game and finished with 26 shots (to the Broncos' six), but time expired before the Lancers could extend their season.

"Obviously, we've had a great year," said senior forward Daniel Westholm. "I knew back in July before we went on our trip to Mexico that we had something special going on, that this could be a big year for us. It really has been. I'm so proud of everybody. We've fought through so many hard games and put up high-scoring games as well. Just had a great season that I'll always remember."

"I just love these guys," said Michaelson. "I'm so thankful for the ride we had and buy-in we had from top to bottom. I think it was a special group, that togetherness we had. It stings the way it ended, but it was a fun ride while it lasted."