Lancers Battle in the Rain

Sunday, September 30

Phoenix, Ariz.

6:00 PM

California Baptist University

5-5-1, 1-2WAC

Grand Canyon

5-5, 2-1WAC

California Baptist

Grand Canyon

Photo by: David Kadlubowski/GCU

Lancers Battle in the Rain

9/30/2018 8:12:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

By: Sammi Wellman, Director of Sports Information

PHOENIX — As the rain came pouring down Sunday evening, California Baptist University battled a familiar foe in Grand Canyon. Despite pressing late, the Lancers surrendered a 2-0 result to the 'Lopes.

CBU drops to 5-5-1 on the year, 1-2-0 in the Western Athletic Conference. GCU improves to 5-5-0 overall and 2-1-0 in conference. While it marked the 15^th time the two teams have met, it was on a grander stage as the former NCAA Division II and PacWest members have both since moved up to Division I and the WAC.

Preston Judd gave CBU its most dangerous chances in the first half when he got in behind the defense on a breakaway with the goalkeeper in the 20^th minute. The Lope made the save, but gave up a rebound and Judd took another crack at it, but it pinged off the crossbar.

Unfortunately, GCU countered and scored 20 seconds later to take a 1-0 lead.

"Soccer can be cruel," said Coach Coe Michaelson. "We thought we'd scored to take a 1-0 lead only to be immediately countered and go down 0-1."

Less than 10 minutes before halftime, Sebastian Wiesbock put another shot on goal, but the Lancers went into halftime trailing 1-0. Coming out of the break, CBU created more chances, but just couldn't get a good look at the goal.

"We responded well and up until we conceded the second from a set piece, I thought we looked the more likely team to score," said Michaelson. "We got in behind and into dangerous spots numerous times but we just couldn't connect on the final ball."

In the 68^th minute, Albert Escuin made a picture-perfect save off a GCU bicycle kick, just getting his fingertips on it to push it up and over the crossbar. Unfortunately, the Lopes scored on the ensuing corner kick to up their advantage to 2-0.

With 10 minutes left in the game, the Lancers turned on the pressure for some late heroics. GCU managed to hold off the visitors, however, to take the game 2-0.

"Even though we created a lot of chances, very few of them were even converted into actual shots, never mind goals," said Michaelson. "We are learning on the fly and it's a process. We have to keep our heads up, get better and get some results at home."

CBU returns home for a pair of games, beginning with Utah Valley on Friday at 3:30 p.m, before No. 8-ranked Air Force comes to town Sunday for a 1 p.m. start time.