Escuin Shines Against #13 Titans

Wednesday, September 25

Fullerton, Calif.

7:00 PM

California Baptist University

1-6-1, 0-0-0

Cal State Fullerton

8-0-0, 0-0-0

California Baptist

Cal St. Fullerton

Albert Escuin at #13 Cal State Fullerton

Photo by: Mike Minyard

Escuin Shines Against #13 Titans

9/25/2019 9:49:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

By: Daniel Cook, Assistant Director of Athletics Communications

FULLERTON, Calif. --- California Baptist University became the first team this season to hold the 13^th ranked Cal State Fullerton Titans to less than two goals. Albert Escuin matched his career high in saves with 10, but the Lancers still fell by a score of 1-0 on the road.

The same contest occurred last year in Riverside, with the two teams drawing the match by a score of 1-1. This year, the Titans are on a historic pace, having already matched their best start to a season in program history (7-0) and looking to set a new high-water mark.

The first half saw the Titans flexing early, dominating possession and getting off the first shot of the game. That would be followed by a flurry of shots from the Lancers before the 10 minute mark.

The real story to the first half was the stellar defensive showing by Escuin.

💪💪

It's the Albert Escuin show so far in the first half, another huge save! He's got five and counting!#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/z4nZEyHbjX
— CBU Men's Soccer (@CBUmsoccer) September 26, 2019

As impressive as Escuin was during the first 45, his defensive line came up big during one particularly threatening sequence late in the first half. One of the Titan's six first half corner kicks found its way deep inside the Lancer box, forcing a trio of saves, two from defenders and a final snag from Escuin.

Not 1️⃣ Not 2️⃣ but 3️⃣ stops!

Escuin grabs his sixth save and his teammates help out with a couple of field saves during this Titan flurry. #LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/YwbpF4RY59
— CBU Men's Soccer (@CBUmsoccer) September 26, 2019

After halftime it was the Lancers who made the first big move. Victor Aguirre had a pair of point-blank shots early in the second half that forced incredible, flying saves from the Titan keeper.

✌️tries!

Victor Aguirre is denied twice from point-blank range in the second half. Lancers trail 1-0 with just under 15 minutes left in regulation. #LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/r0wUEEVPNw
— CBU Men's Soccer (@CBUmsoccer) September 26, 2019

The Lancers would eventually concede a goal in the 56^th minute, and despite a strong push in the second half, would come up short on six shots in the half, dropping the game, and closing out their non-conference record at 1-6-1.

The Titans, who have already surpassed their entire win total from a season ago (7), were picked to finish just 5^th in the Big West Conference this year. However, after such a strong non-conference schedule, which included defeating the WAC's 2018 regular season champions Air Force, CSUF seems to be a top contender for the Big West title, along with CSU Northridge whom the Lancers drew with in an exhibition earlier this season.

Despite the loss, there were plenty of positives to take from this contest.

"That was a great performance, and it shows just how good we can be. Our guys set a new standard for themselves tonight in terms of their work rate and their commitment to fight for the team, a fantastic competitive mentality," head coach Coe Michaelson said after the match. "That game could have gone either way, and I'm proud of my guys tonight, going toe-to-toe with the #13 team in the country, on the road. Now we need to take that approach into our conference play. Frankly, we are happy to be done with what was obviously a disappointing non-conference [schedule], but if we can replicate that effort 11 more times this year, then we have every reason to be optimistic."

The Lancers will open WAC play on the road this Saturday when they travel to the Pacific Northwest to take on the Redhawks of Seattle University. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 pm.