Taking the Titans to Extra Time

Friday, September 7

Riverside, Calif.

4:00 PM

California Baptist University

2-2-1

Cal State Fullerton

0-1-3

Team	1	2	OT 1	OT 2	Final F
Cal State Fullerton	0	1	0	0	1
California Baptist	1	0	0	0	1

Photo by: Danielle Lutjens

Taking the Titans to Extra Time

9/7/2018 8:36:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

By: Sammi Wellman, Director of Sports Information

RIVERSIDE, Calif. — California Baptist University had a test in its home opener Friday afternoon when Cal State Fullerton came to town, a team that has advanced to the NCAA tournament in three of the last four years. It took 110 minutes, but the two teams ultimately had to settle for a 1-1 draw in the first game of the Johann Memorial Classic.

The Lancers move to 2-2-1 on the year, while the Titans – who were picked to win the Big West and started the year ranked in the top-25 coaches' poll – sit 0-1-3, still looking for their first win of the year.

"Today was a difficult game in difficult conditions," said Coach Coe Michaelson. "While it wasn't a vintage CBU soccer performance, we were really pleased to see how hard the guys worked for the result, which is what you have to do when you aren't at your best."

Fullerton put a shot on goal less than 10 minutes into the game, but Albert Escuin made the save to keep it scoreless early.

CBU was creating chances on the other side of the field, but unfortunately was called offside a few times before Niklas Haakenstad came knocking. In the 28^th minute, the freshman Norwegian forward showed off his fancy footwork, but his shot was blocked.

Five minutes later, Haakenstad drew a foul, but the Titan goalkeeper managed to get his hands on the ensuing free kick from Matthias Binder to keep it 0-0.

Haakenstad finally broke free in the 44^th minute to give the Lancers a 1-0 lead just before halftime. George Ionascu dribbled inside the 18-yard box, beating a defender and sending in a cross to the far post. Haakenstad cut his run to the near post and flicked his header to the back post and into the back of the net.

The Lancers came out of the break pressing early to add some insurance on the board. Preston Judd had a dangerous chance from just about 10 yards out, but the goalkeeper managed to get his fingertips on it to send it wide and keep the score close, 1-0.

Three minutes later, Judd took off on a breakaway, but once again the goalkeeper was able to smother the shot to keep it a one-goal game.

It paid off when the Titans equalized in the 74^th minute. Both teams battled for the remaining 16 minutes, but couldn't capitalize to send the game into overtime.

With under 30 seconds left in the first extra period, CBU looked like it might get the golden goal. Ionascu fired off a shot from distance, but it was blocked by a Titan defender. The rebound fell into the path of a Lancer, but the sideline ref raised his flag to indicate offside and nullify the goal.

Intensity grew in the final 10 minutes of action, but neither team could find the game-winner to result in the 1-1 tie.

"We recovered in overtime and while we are disappointed not to win, it was a gritty performance from a lot of guys against the Big West Champion, a team in the pre-season Top 25," said Michaelson. "I was really pleased with the performances from some of the guys who hadn't gotten a lot of chances this fall so far. Junior Guerra, Caley Powers, Griffin McDaniel and Joey Scotti were really key to preserving the result late."

CBU heads to Las Vegas for a neutral-site contest against Wofford College on Sunday. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m.