Taking Down the T-Birds

Sunday, September 16

Riverside, Calif.

1:00 PM

California Baptist University

5-1-1

Southern Utah

1-8-0

Southern Utah

California Baptist

Photo by: Danielle Lutjens

9/16/2018 3:14:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

By: Sammi Wellman, Director of Sports Information

RIVERSIDE, Calif. — After a hot start with a goal in the first five minutes of the game, California Baptist University dominated the rest of the way for a 2-0 blanking over Southern Utah Sunday afternoon.

The Lancers improve to 5-1-1 on the year, while the Thunderbirds drop to 1-8-0 overall.

"Today's win was very much deserved," said Desarae Felix. "We came off a very hard and productive week of training, and I'm so stoked to see the fruits of everyone's labor. Super proud of the effort everyone gave today to get the win and shutout!"

CBU didn't waste much time at all as Felix found the back of the net in the fourth minute of action. Miranda Hald held off a defender in the right corner of the field and laid off a ball to Erin Gallagher, who one-timed it into the 18-yard box. The ball bounced just in front of Felix, allowing her to half-volley it from the top of the box and into the far corner to give the Lancers the early 1-0 lead.

"I think that was huge," said Coach Kristen St. Clair of the early goal. "We've had a really good, tough week of training and our attack is getting sharper and sharper. It was a beautiful goal by Desarae, it's hard to get that kind of a shot on frame. Just speaks of her class and the caliber of player she is."

Minutes later, Jordan Dow looked like she might double CBU's lead, but the goal was called back due to offsides to keep the score at 1-0 in favor of the home team.

The Lancers kept pushing and got two shots on goal off within two minutes of each other to put the pressure on the visitors. Dow took a sliding shot in the 15^th minute, while Gallagher got a shot off, but both were stopped by the T-Bird goalkeeper.

With just about 15 minutes left before the break, SUU got its first look on goal, but Romy Salvador easily scooped it up to keep her team in front 1-0.

The Lancers broke through again in the 31^st minute as Dow saw Elisa Soderholm wide open outside the box and passed it back to her. Soderholm then curled it into the far post to put CBU in front 2-0 at the break.

"Knew it was a matter of time," said St. Clair. "It was exciting for Elisa to get her first goal of the season on such a head's up play. We were generating good opportunities prior to that so we knew the second goal was coming."

Just two minutes after halftime, CBU drew a foul in SUU territory. Cora Jacoby put a dangerous ball into the box, but the Thunderbird goalkeeper got a punch on it to keep Miranda Hald from heading it home. It wasn't out of danger yet, though, as Soderholm took a shot that was just wide.

With 20 minutes left, SUU tried to put together something in CBU's defensive third, but Salvador snatched the cross out of the air to keep the Thunderbirds from getting a shot off.

"Romy is in good form right now," said St. Clair. "She's playing with confidence and a good presence. She plays very well with her feet and she made some key plays when we needed her to."

After the Lancer defense thwarted a Thunderbird attempt in the 78^th minute, CBU countered. Miranda Martinez played a through ball for Felix to run onto, before she crossed it over to Ari Coronado at the far post. The freshman put her shot on target, but the keeper tipped it out to keep the score at 2-0.

"Their goalkeeper came up with good saves to keep them in the game," said St. Clair. "I thought we could have had some more goals."

The Lancers closed out the remaining 10 minutes of the game to hold on for the 2-0 victory.

CBU has two final non-conference games left before beginning Western Athletic Conference action to close out September. The Lancers first host Hope International on Friday for a 3 p.m. kickoff, before heading to Cal Poly for a game on Sunday.

"Our non-conference schedule is really preparing us for the WAC," said St. Clair. "We want to hit on all cylinders when we start conference and we're getting better on both sides of the ball. It's great to see the team translate what we're doing in training into the game. We'll enjoy this tonight and start getting ready for Hope International and Cal Poly. Those are two good challenges for us to get us ready for WAC since we know conference will be tough."