IRVINE – A battle of Western Athletic Conference heavyweights lived up to the billing on Thursday night with #25 Grand Canyon taking the win in Irvine. The Lopes topped California Baptist University men's soccer with a tight 2-1 final score. The result drops the Lancers to 10-3-3 on the season and 5-2-2 in conference while GCU improves to 13-2 and 8-2, respectively.
"I have nothing but pride in our team tonight. We can genuinely feel hard done by that the result doesn't reflect the match, which is really saying something because that's a top-25 team. Sometimes it's a matter of inches and tonight it certainly was," said Head Coach
Coe Michaelson.
The Lopes opened scoring with a quick goal in the 15
th minute, but CBU would level the match before halftime, scoring in the 36
th minute.
Bryan Iliohan added another goal to his league-leading total, which now stands at 12. The goal was set up by a hard-fought takeaway by
David Cordes whose heads-up play to send a sprinting Iliohan a strong pass led to the Dutchman gathering the ball, setting up his angle, and beating the GCU keeper to the far post with his right foot.
A disputed call inside the Lancer 18-yard box led to GCU being rewarded with a free kick from about 10 yards away to the right of the goal post. Multiple Lopes set up to take the free kick to disguise their play and managed to convert the gifted free kick for a goal.
The Lancers would rattle off eight more shots, putting six on target, but were not able to convert another equalizer before the final horn.
UP NEXT
The Lancers now turn their attention to their matchup with the Air Force Academy in two days. CBU will host the Falcons, currently sitting in third place, just ahead of CBU, in the WAC standings at 8-6-1 overall and 7-2 in conference. Game time is set for 7 p.m. at Championship Soccer Stadium located at the OC Great Park in Irvine, CA. Parking and admission are free for all fans.
