First WAC Game, First WAC Win

Thursday, September 13

Riverside, Calif.

4:00 PM

California Baptist University

4-2-1

Seattle U

3-3-0

Seattle University

California Baptist

Niklas Haakenstad scores a goal in CBU men's soccer's 2-1 victory over Seattle U.

Photo by: Reagan Lee

First WAC Game, First WAC Win

9/13/2018 6:27:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

By: Sammi Wellman, Director of Sports Information

RIVERSIDE, Calif. — In its first-ever Western Athletic Conference game, California Baptist University knew it would be in for some tough competition as it took on Seattle U, last year's WAC Tournament Champion and this year's preseason favorite. The Lancers rallied for a come-from-behind 2-1 victory to open conference with a big win.

CBU improves to 4-2-1 on the year and begins WAC action with a 1-0-0 mark. The Redhawks, who last year advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament, drop to 3-3-0 overall, 0-1-0 in conference.

"I'm really happy for the guys," said Coach Coe Michaelson. "We had to hold on late, but the guys stood firm and showed the grit needed to close it out."

Seattle U took the first lead with a goal in the 11^th minute, but the Lancers soon turned momentum in their favor.

"We didn't start the game well and SU showed its pedigree as it [controlled] the first 20 minutes of the game," said Michaelson. "As we came to grips with the game, we really started creating some chances and the second half we were excellent."

With less than 10 minutes left before halftime, Preston Judd held off a defender on the right side of the box and laid off a pass to Sebastian Wiesbock. After taking a touch, Wiesbock finished it through traffic to the left corner and past the outstretched Redhawk goalkeeper to tie the game up 1-1.

CBU came out of the break looking to put the ball away early for the go-ahead and created multiple chances in the first five minutes of the half.

Linus Mansson fired off a shot at the top of the 18-yard box in the 50^th minute, forcing the goalkeeper to smother it to keep the game even at 1-1.

Two minutes later, the Redhawks tried to counterattack, but Albert Escuin came off his line to make the save and keep momentum with the Lancers.

CBU got the go-ahead goal it was looking for in the 70^th minute when George Ionascu dribbled down the left side of the field and found Niklas Haakenstad at the top of the box. Haakenstad spun with the ball and ripped a cross-body shot back to the near post to give the Lancers a 2-1 lead.

Seattle U turned up the intensity late, desperate for an equalizer of its own, but Escuin kept the visitors out of the net to seal the 2-1 victory for CBU. The junior keeper finished the day with five saves between the posts.

The Lancers take a brief break from conference action, hosting Hope International on Tuesday at 4 p.m. and heading to local foe UC Riverside next Saturday for a game under the lights, kicking off at 7 p.m.

"After a really tough stretch of games and lots of travel, it will be good to get a rest and some training in," said Michaelson. "As well as we have played, we can be even better. That's what we will aim to do as we get ready for the next one."