California Baptist University
7-2-1, 0-0-0
Pacific
3-7-0, 0-0-0
Lancers Win OT Thriller Over Tigers
9/28/2019 3:53:00 PM | Women's Soccer
RIVERSIDE, Calif. --- California Baptist University's women's soccer team extended its win streak to four in a row on Saturday, as the Lancers edged the Tigers of Pacific in a 1-0 overtime thriller.
The Lancers will head into conference play with a 7-2-1 overall record, as they end their non-conference schedule with four straight wins. The win streak of four in a row breaks last year's record of three – which happened twice during the season.
"I'm very proud of this team," said head coach Kristen St. Clair. "To earn a win from opponents in two of the top three conferences in the West Region and to finish a tough non-conference schedule at 7-2-1 in our second year has been a great accomplishment so far."
The Tigers fall to 3-7-0 on the season and have played their last four games to a one-goal differential.
Rebecca Romero got the Lancers started the right way, as the senior placed a header to the top of the box that hit the crossbar in the opening minutes.
CBU then rattled off four straight shots in 15 minutes to keep the Tigers' backline in check.
Rola Badawiya had one of the closer shots in the first half, as Amy Aquino played her to the right side with a through ball. Badawiya gained control and moved it to her right foot, but the low, forceful shot missed by inches on the left side.
Rola Badawiya misses the goal by inches, as the Lancers are on the attack early!#LanceUp⚔ pic.twitter.com/fdOS6nTu6N
— CBU Women's Soccer (@CBUwsoccer) September 28, 2019
Defensively, the Lancers did well to keep the Tigers off the attacking side of the field, forcing the opposition to tighten up their passes.
Both teams were unsuccessful when the first horn went off, as the game remained scoreless at the break.
‼️ HALFTIME ‼️
— CBU Women's Soccer (@CBUwsoccer) September 28, 2019
Lancers 0️⃣
Tigers 0️⃣
Shot Tracker
Lancers - 9️⃣
Tigers - 5️⃣#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/CqW3NVIhOQ
The intensity picked up in the second half, as the fouls started to pile up for each side.
Pacific was able to manage four corner kicks during the second half, but the Lancers relied on veteran goalie Romy Salvador, who was making her first start of the season since coming off an injury.
The defensive effort by the Lancers was on full display, as Erin Gallagher and Brodi Blomdahl made sure CBU's backline kept the Tigers on their toes.
After 90 minutes of action and the score still at 0-0, the Lancers looked for some magic going into the first overtime period.
The Tigers were able to get a shot off in the first two minutes, but it sailed wide and set up a goal kick.
CBU started to make a run with under a minute to play, and once the ball crossed midfield, a foul was called on the Tigers to give the Lancers a free-kick.
Valerie Cortez stepped up and crossed a ball inside the box that found Badawiya with a defender on her back. Badawiya did well to keep her position and get to the ball first with a header that sailed to the far right side of the net for the golden goal.
🚨GOLDEN GOAL 🚨
— CBU Women's Soccer (@CBUwsoccer) September 28, 2019
Rola Badawiya plays a beautiful header to the back of the net in the final seconds of the first OT! #LanceUp⚔ pic.twitter.com/s9szKAdBsU
This marks the second straight game Badawiya has scored the game-winner for the Lancers.
"Our defense was solid, and our offense generated good scoring opportunities," St. Clair added. "This game was a good final tuneup before WAC play. As a young team, we need to continue to be more consistent through 90 minutes. We're getting better every day, and it's showing more each game."
The Lancers will turn their attention to Western Athletic Conference play next week. CBU will hit the road for a two-game stretch against CSU Bakersfield on Oct. 4 and NM State on Oct. 6.
The game against the Roadrunners is set for 7 p.m.
"The second phase of season begins next week as we open conference play with two challenging games on the road at CSU Bakersfield and NM State," said St. Clair. "There are several good teams in the WAC that could win the conference, so we'll have our work cut out for us. I believe we can beat any team on any given day if we're disciplined, and focused on the consistency of our execution and performance."
Team Stats
Rola Badawiya (1)
Assisted By: Valerie Cortez
GOAL by CBU Badawiya, Rola Assist by Cortez, Valerie.
99:59
