Coming In Hot

Saturday, September 2

Riverside, Calif.

10:00 AM

California Baptist University

2-0-0

Cal State San Marcos

1-1-0

Cal State San Marcos

California Baptist

Photo by: Carey Schumacher

9/2/2017 1:42:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

By: Sammi Wellman, Director of Sports Information

RIVERSIDE, Calif. — It's only the second game of the season, and already California Baptist University is making a statement. The Lancers grabbed a 7-0 win over Cal State San Marcos Saturday morning, with Aidan Apodaca tying a CBU record for most goals in a single game.

The Lancers sit 2-0-0 on the year after their opening weekend, while the Cougars boast a 1-1-0 mark after grabbing a win on Thursday.

"This is right where we want to be and right where we expected to be," said Coach Coe Michaelson. "We keep preaching one game at a time so we're happy to be 2-0. I think the guys did a good job at just approaching these games professionally and getting the results we needed."

Despite the temperature hitting triple digits once again, the heat didn't seem to slow down CBU at all. In fact, it almost had the opposite effect as the Lancers finished with 22 shots on the day, including 14 on frame. With the past two games combined, CBU boasts an impressive .676 shots on goal percentage.

"There's no doubt that we have a lot of threats [on offense]," said Michaelson. "I think that's what makes us tough to game plan for. You can try to shut down one guy, but there are plenty of others who are more than capable of hurting the opposition and we've got threats all over the field. We've got guys who can come off the bench and impact the game."

Apodaca wasted little time before he struck first, scoring in just the first 90 seconds of the game. After Junior Guerra and Hugo Gutierrez combined to put Apodaca in behind the Cougar defense, the senior tucked it away from the right side.

"Coming out today, we started strong and we carried that throughout the game," said Apodaca. "Putting them down early makes the other team put their heads down, so the first goal is always important."

Things could've taken a different turn in the ninth minute when CSUSM got its best chance of the day. Edgar Benitez made a big-time reaction save, tipping a header shot up and over the goal to keep his shutout intact.

"Today was a great example of why you need a big-time goalkeeper," said Michaelson. "We're up 1-0 early and CSUSM fought. They got a free kick and got a header on the ball, but Edgar made a huge save to preserve the 1-0 lead. It's a lot different game if he doesn't come up with that save in that moment. I think certainly today the defense earned the shutout."

Just about three minutes later, CBU gave itself some cushion. Gutierrez sent in a cross into the 18-yard box, allowing Guerra to get on the other end of it and put it away, 2-0.

It didn't stop from there as Apodaca scored in the 26^th minute off a free kick just outside the box. Almost exactly a minute later, Sebastian Wiesboeck got in on the scoring action, capitalizing off quick passing from Guerra and Apodaca.

CBU had other chances in the half, including one from Preston Judd that bounced off the post just before time expired, but went into halftime with a 4-0 lead.

"The depth that we have, once one player goes out, the next guy to come in is just as good," said Apodaca. "I think it brings in a whole other experience for the other team."

The Lancers kept their foot on the gas in the second half, making it 5-0 in the 62^nd minute. Gutierrez put Apodaca in behind the defense once again, drawing the Cougar goalkeeper out to try to get the ball. He didn't get a chance to clear it, letting Apodaca tap it in to complete the hat trick.

Apodaca added one more for good measure in the 69^th minute, running onto a defensive clear from Abe Placito. The Rancho Cucamonga native used his speed to beat his defender and finished from 10 yards out to all but seal the game for CBU.

The final dagger came in the 89^th minute as Joey Chica scored his first goal of the year. Joey Scotti passed it up the line to Chica, who shot it across the face of the goal and into the back of the net.

"It feels great right now, but Coach said after the game that we can't dwell on these last two games," said Apodaca. "We have three days of practice before we fly up North where we have to put in another good result."

CBU will look to build on the momentum from the past two games as it hits the road for the first time this season. The Lancers head to NorCal for a Thursday matchup at Sonoma State and a Saturday night game at Chico State.

"We're preaching 'focus on the next game,'" said Michaelson. "We're focusing on SSU; we know they're a good team. We know it's going to be a tough game going on the road. We'll focus on Chico State when the time comes, but right now we have our focus on Sonoma State. They were an NCAA DII tournament team last year and we have a lot of respect for them. We're looking forward to what we know is going to be a tough match."