Shorthanded Lancers Fall In Overtime to Highlanders

Friday, September 6

Riverside, Calif.

4:00 PM

California Baptist University

1-0-1, 0-0-0

UC Riverside

2-0-0, 0-0-0

UC Riverside

California Baptist

Shorthanded Lancers Fall In Overtime to Highlanders

9/6/2019 7:37:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

By: Daniel Cook, Assistant Director of Athletics Communications

RIVERSIDE, Calif. —The California Baptist men's soccer team hosted its crosstown neighbors, the Highlanders from UC Riverside, in its true home opener for the 2019 season. The Lancers took a quick lead, but would eventually fall to the Highlanders in overtime.

The game could not have started off on a better note as the Lancers stunned the Highlanders by scoring inside the first minute of the game. Oliver Bryneus sent an easy pass to the foot of Victor Aguirre who was cutting to the top of the box. Once Aguirre received the pass, he loaded and released a low shot through traffic, finding the back of the net under the outstretched body of a diving UCR goalie.

🔥 HOT START 🔥

Victor Aguirre gets the Lancers going with a goal in the first minute! #LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/NwKy2IgsS7
— CBU Men's Soccer (@CBUmsoccer) September 6, 2019

The Lancers would keep a good deal of possession during the first half, however, momentum and control of the game seemed to be owned by the Highlanders. The Highlanders created quality chances throughout the first half on their five shots, eventually netting the equalizer in the 40th minute after being awarded a penalty kick for a foul inside the box. The teams would head into the locker rooms at halftime tied at one a piece.

CBU came out on a mission in the second half, launching nine shots in total, including four shots by four different player inside of the opening nine minutes of the half. But those chances were left just wanting, inching just outside of the frame and one that kissed the crossbar.

Starting in the goal was senior Albert Escuin, who put in strong work today, grabbing four saves, including a timely snag from a menacingly placed free kick roughly 20 yards out with just under five minutes left in regular time.

Albert Escuin keeps this game tied at 1-1!

5⃣ minutes left in regulation! #LanceUp⚔ pic.twitter.com/9ZjCcV1Xa8
— CBU Men's Soccer (@CBUmsoccer) September 7, 2019

The Lancers would rip another two shots before the full 90 minutes were up, but neither would prove to be a game winner, leading to the teams second overtime game already in this young season.

Overtime started slowly, with each team clearly feeling the effects from already playing an hour and a half of high intensity soccer in triple digit temperatures. Then the tide shifted when a CBU player was sent off after he received a second yellow card just five minutes into the first overtime. Despite being down to 10 men, the Lancers played with the same spirit and drive they had shown all game so far.

They staved off the Highlanders for a while, rebutting their advances and clearing threatening challenges cleanly, but their luck ran out with just a few ticks left on the clock. UCR earned a corner kick with 10 seconds left in the first overtime, and instead of just playing for the second overtime, a strong cross to the far side of the box was headed back to the near post where a waiting UCR boot tapped it in for the game winner.

Head coach Coe Michaelson spoke after the game saying this, "I thought UCR were the better team in the first half, but in the second half and OT we really took control of the game. We created chances and had a lot of opportunities with corners, even when we were down a man, so with the way the game was trending it's a cruel ending. While it's terribly disappointing, the only important thing now is to react in the right way and respond in our next game."

The Lancers drop to 1-1-1 on the season, but will look to rebound on Sunday against the Golden Eagles from Oral Roberts University. The two teams will meet at Lancer Field for a 1:00 pm kickoff.