RIVERSIDE, Calif. — In its final home game of its first-ever NCAA Division I season, California Baptist University battled from behind to force overtime before Preston Judd netted the golden goal just two minutes into the extra period to lift CBU 2-1 over Houston Baptist.
The Lancers improve to 9-8-1, 5-5-0 in the Western Athletic Conference. The Huskies 5-7-3, 3-5-1 in conference.
Judd scored both goals to up his tally to 15 on the year, which ranks third in CBU's all-time record book, second in the NCAA era.
Despite holding a 3-to-1 shots on goal ratio over the Huskies in the first half, CBU found itself trailing 1-0 at halftime.
"I thought we played well for most of the game, we had a lot of the ball in the first half," said Coach Coe Michaelson. "The goal came against the run of play so that was a bit unfortunate, but we just had to up the tempo. We had to be a bit better second half and I thought we were. In the end, the win was certainly deserved."
The Lancers came out of the break hungry for the equalizer.
It came in the 61st minute as Sebastian Wiesbock played a through ball for Judd to run onto. The sophomore striker, who leads the WAC in scoring, turned on the jets, took one touch to get past the oncoming goalkeeper and placed it into the back of the net to even things up 1-1.
Ten minutes later, George Ionascu looked like he would find the go-ahead goal after dribbling through the HBU defense and firing off a shot. Unfortunately, it banged off the post to keep the score deadlocked at 1-1.
CBU kept the pressure on, looking for another to avoid extra time. It didn't come, however, to send the two teams into a sudden death overtime period.
The Lancers didn't waste time as Judd hammered home the golden goal just over 90 seconds into the period to lift his team to victory. Wiesbock started the play with a ball over to Oliver Bryneus on the left side, who one-touched a beautiful cross into the 18-yard box. Judd beat his defender and the goalkeeper to the near post and headed it into the back of the net to end the game.
"Feels brilliant, it's great to get an overtime win," said team captain and senior defender Nick Forrester. "It was a bit of a relief and a fantastic finish by Preston. Really proud of the boys today, we showed a lot of great character and great heart. Just amazing to get a win on Senior Day. It's a good send off."
CBU has just one last game to play, heading to CSU Bakersfield for a Saturday night kick off at 7 p.m.
"Preston has done a really great job, but he has a whole bunch of really good players behind him and he'll be the first to say it," said Michaelson. "I think today is really about the five seniors. They've been loyal to me as [me and my coaching staff] came in here brand new two and a half years ago. To have those guys get on board and help us turn this program into what we have, I'll always remember they were a part of that."
"I really appreciate my two years and everything that I've experienced here," said Silva.
"I'm really proud of these five guys, they are a credit to CBU," added Michaelson. "Gabe and Nick have anchored us at the back, Matty has been a key midfielder for us and both Junior and Caley have been here with me for all three years. Those two were a huge part of our success a year ago and were a huge part of establishing a winning program during my first few years here."
CBU honored five seniors prior to kick off: Junior Guerra, Gabriel Silva, Caley Powers, Nick Forrester and Matthias Binder.
