Men's Soccer Secures Win No. 10 On The Road Against Chicago State

Sunday, October 24

Chicago

10 AM

California Baptist University

10-2-3, 5-1-2

Chicago State

2-11-2, 0-7-1

California Baptist

Chicago St.

Photo by: Charlie Sands

Men's Soccer Secures Win No. 10 On The Road Against Chicago State

10/24/2021 12:40:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

By: Daniel Cook, Assistant Director of Athletics Communications

CHICAGO – California Baptist University men's soccer faced two opponents on Sunday, taking on Chicago State for the first time ever, as well as battling the torrential rain and strong winds of the Midwest all game long. These additional challenges were no match for the Lancers who picked up the win by defeating the Cougars 5-1 in Chicago.

The Lancers secured the program's first ever double-digit win season in the Division I era, improving to 10-2-3 overall and 5-1-2 in the Western Athletic Conference. The Lancers have outscored opponents 12-5 in the past three games, all of which were CBU wins.

The 12 goals by CBU is the most during any stretch of that length this season, and the most since they scored 16 in the opening three games of the 2017 season. Eight different Lancers have chipped in goals for CBU during this run.

"We are obviously happy with the result. Chicago has had some good results here and have played a lot of others really tough. But the big story to me is that our guys have been road warriors this year. We took a road-heavy schedule knowing everything at home would be at a neutral site so for the group to go 7-2-2 on the road is a huge testament to their quality," said Head Coach Coe Michaelson after the game. "Not a lot of teams could have done that, and that's a credit to our squad. With that said we are excited to be heading home for some big games."

The first Lancer goal on the day came in just the 10^th minute off the right foot of Emiel Deconinck, who had just scored his first goal of the season in Thursday's game at Houston Baptist.

It might be cold in Chicago but Emiel's right foot is 🔥#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/k0mWWcTErf
— California Baptist Men's Soccer (@CBUmsoccer) October 24, 2021

Just 10 minutes later, Tete Vacas netted his fifth goal of the season to go with his assist on Deconinck's goal. This is the second game this season where Vacas has scored and assisted on a goal in the same game.

Tete Vacas makes the Cougars pay for a defensive mistake to the tune of his fifth goal of the season!#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/uHkAVgrcPk
— California Baptist Men's Soccer (@CBUmsoccer) October 24, 2021

Bryan Illiohan would extend his league-leading goal total to 11 with a header in the 61^st minute, and Vacas would find the back of the net for a second time just four minutes later, assisted by none other than Deconinck.

The final Lancer goal of the day came from Marcos Vasallo, a true freshman from Madrid, Spain, who had been close a few times prior to this game. He was set up nicely by Leo Mendez who dribbled to the touchline, drawing defenders and the goalkeeper's attention, freeing Vasallo up for his first Lancer goal.

⚔️🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸 Vacas and Vasallo have combined for a Spanish hat trick in Chicago!#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/fBMB4unQsd
— California Baptist Men's Soccer (@CBUmsoccer) October 24, 2021

The Cougars would get on the board very late in the game to avoid being shutout on Senior Day. Starting goalkeeper Gage Rogers had a good day despite the lone goal, stopping three shots on a day with weather conditions that made any save a minor miracle.

🙅‍♂️🙅‍♂️🙅‍♂️ Gage Rogers and Jordan Lane combine for three clutch goal line saves for the Lancers!#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/27B0LzfyKH
— California Baptist Men's Soccer (@CBUmsoccer) October 24, 2021

UP NEXT

The Lancers are home for the rest of the season, playing their final three games at the OC Great Park Championship Stadium in Irvine. CBU will open with a huge match against Grand Canyon on Thursday, Oct. 28, at 7 p.m. GCU comes in as the conference co-leaders with an overall record of 11-2 and a 6-1 WAC record.