RIVERSIDE – California Baptist played the reigning WAC Tournament champions, Grand Canyon University, to a 0-0 draw at Lancer Field. The Lopes and Lancers combined for 27 shots during the 110-minute marathon, but nine saves and a pair of crossbar rejections would send both teams home with a single point.
The first half saw a lot of action and threatening play inside each team's defensive boxes, but neither would net a goal, tallying just five shots in total, none of which forced either keeper to work for a save.
The second half seemed like two new teams took the field as a combined 19 shots were taken, seven of which tested the keepers, with more getting blocked by backline defenders, and the Lancers knocking the crossbar twice.
With less than seven minutes left to play in regulation, the Lancers set up for a corner kick, which landed in the Lopes 18-yard box. The first shot, taken by
Victor Aguirre, was saved by the GCU keeper but wasn't held on to. CBU would gather the rebound just to have a Loper defender clear it out to
Brian Gonzalez, who connected on a clean strike from just outside the 6-yard box, only to have it meet with the crossbar and be guided out for a GCU clearance.
Albert Escuin totaled five saves on the day, but none were bigger than a troublesome bouncing shot off a free kick in overtime that he scooped up to keep the Lancers in it.
Despite the ballooned numbers from both teams, they remained level after two halves and two overtimes. It is the second draw for each team this season, with the Lancers first coming in game one of the season against IUPUI, and the Lopes tying for the first time since they played UC Riverside to a 1-1 draw on Sept. 22.
In the preseason coach's poll, the Lopes were voted tied for third with Air Force, while California Baptist was tabbed to take eighth place in the 12-team league.
"I'm really proud of the guys today. That's the third game in a row where we have put a great effort in, and to be honest, I feel for the guys because I thought today they deserved more of a reward for their effort and the chances we created," head coach Coe Michael reflected. He expanded by saying, "But with the physical condition of our squad against such a good team, an NCAA Tournament team, we have to recognize that it's a good result and if we continue to put that commitment into the game then we will turn our luck around."
The Lancers will take a day to rest and then host the Rebels from UNLV at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 6. CBU is 0-1-1 all-time against UNLV, who is currently riding a five-game losing streak, most recently dropping a 1-0 game to CSU Bakersfield earlier today.
