Defense Leads Lancers To Third WAC Win

Saturday, October 19

Riverside, Calif.

3:00 PM

California Baptist University

4-8-2, 3-2-1

San Jose State

2-10-1, 2-3-1

San Jose St.

California Baptist

Defense Leads Lancers To Third WAC Win

10/19/2019 5:35:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score Photo Gallery

By: Daniel Cook, Assistant Director of Athletics Communications

RIVERSIDE -- Two first-half goals powered California Baptist University to a 2-1 win over San Jose State, last year's Western Athletic Conference Tournament runner-up, at Lancer Soccer Field on Saturday.

The Lancers squashed a late rally by the Spartans, who scored in the final seven minutes, to secure the one-goal win. The victory improves the Lancers' record to 3-2-1 in the WAC and 4-8-2 overall. CBU improves to third place in the league with 10 points in conference play.

Brian Gonzalez and George Ionascu both scored in the victory for CBU, while Albert Escuin came up with four big saves. In total, eight Lancers took 14 shots and put six on frame. Ionascu led the team with four shots, all of which were on goal.

While two goals provided the difference, Coach Coe Michaelson attributed the Lancers' success to their defense.

"We are capable of weathering a lot with Albert (Escuin), Linus (Månsson) and DJ (Daniel Johnsson) at the back of our defense," Michaelson said. "They just provide a fantastic foundation for the rest of the team to play from. While we certainly should have put the game away sooner, San Jose State is a team, like us, one I feel is much better than their record and they had some chances as well, so we are happy to win."

Gonzalez gave the Lancers control early in the match, scoring a scorcher off a stolen pass and assist from Niklas Haakenstad in the fifth minute. The goal was the third of the year for Gonzalez, while Haakenstad collected his second assist.

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Here's a look at the first goal of the game from Brian Gonzalez. Niklas Haakenstad set it up by stepping in front of a clearance attempt from San Jose State.#LanceUp⚔ pic.twitter.com/01BN6je2y7
— CBU Men's Soccer (@CBUmsoccer) October 19, 2019

The Spartans would control the ball for much of the first half, but weren't able to make much of the possession, taking just two shots in the opening 45 minutes.

As halftime approached SJSU was called for a handball inside their own box, which led to a CBU penalty kick. Ionascu lined up for the shot on the spot and gave the opposing keeper no chance on a rocket of a shot into the top corner. It gave the Lancers a 2-0 lead going into halftime.

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George Ionascu put CBU up 2⃣➖0⃣ with a beauty of a penalty-kick goal.#LanceUp⚔ pic.twitter.com/YYRjStjpC1
— CBU Men's Soccer (@CBUmsoccer) October 19, 2019

Possession on paper was in the Spartans' favor all game long, but most of that possession was held in their own defensive half. They did little to threaten Escuin, the WAC's top shot blocker, who came into the match with a conference leading 70 saves. He was called on to make just four more saves on the day.

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Two quick back-to-back saves from Albert Escuin keeps this a two-goal lead for CBU.#LanceUp⚔ pic.twitter.com/MPNGqgPfr3
— CBU Men's Soccer (@CBUmsoccer) October 19, 2019

In the waning moments, a San Jose attacker put a long distance shot on frame and was able to sneak it just under the crossbar for the Spartans' lone goal of the match.

"Today was a very gutsy performance. With our healthy numbers so limited, we needed every last available body to fight and work in order to get us through that game," Michaelson said. "While our possession was not of the standard it generally is, we created loads of chances on the counter attack and we were very strong defensively, which we had to be against a team with the technical quality of San Jose State."

The Lancers will be at home next week, as they host a pair of games against The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley on Friday at 3:00 p.m. and Incarnate Word Sunday at 1:00 p.m.