Vacas Leads CBU Past Seattle U In Overtime Thriller

Thursday, October 7

Norco, Calif.

2 PM

California Baptist University

7-2-2, 2-1-1

Seattle U

6-6-0, 2-2-0

Seattle U

California Baptist

Vacas Leads CBU Past Seattle U In Overtime Thriller

10/7/2021 6:22:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score Seattle U Replay

By: Daniel Cook, Assistant Director of Athletics Communications

RIVERSIDE – Tete Vacas was golden again as his game-winning overtime goal gave California Baptist University men's soccer the 2-1 victory over Seattle U on Thursday afternoon. The win moves CBU to a 7-2-2 overall record while boosting its standings in the Western Athletic Conference to 2-1-1. Seattle U drops to 6-6 on the year and 2-2 in conference.

This is the second golden goal score for Vacas this season, he was also the overtime hero earlier this season when the Lancers defeated UC Riverside 2-1 in the Crosstown Showdown. Vacas is tied for second on the team with four goals this season and broke double-digit scores (10) for his CBU career.

"This is the most proud of our group I've been all year. We were so clearly spent early in this game with all of the travel and injuries, but to go a goal down and show such incredible grit and resilience to battle back and get a win against a top team was a truly rewarding thing to see as a coach," praised Head Coach Coe Michaelson after the win. "As guys went down, we had so many guys really step up today and contribute. That was an extremely hard fought win against an excellent team, and I couldn't be happier for the guys."

The game was fast from wire-to-wire, with both teams firing quality shots throughout the match, forcing each goalkeeper into making some incredible saves. Senior goalkeeper Gage Rogers returned to the starting position in goal and stopped a career-high nine shots during his 97 minutes of action.

The game was physical and action-packed, but remained scoreless after the first half. The Lancers would fall behind after a goal snuck into the net in the 52^nd minute.

Just five minutes later, senior Brian Gonzalez secured his fourth goal of the season, taking an assist from Bryan Iliohan and beating the SU keeper to his right for the equalizer.

This Brian Gonzalez goal and celebration were next level!#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/NBTnZDK7Lp
— California Baptist Men's Soccer (@CBUmsoccer) October 8, 2021

Rogers collected two late saves in regulation to keep the game level and force extra time, and one more in the overtime to keep the Lancers alive.

Following the save, CBU immediately went on the game-winning attack led by Luis Mueller, the team's leading assist man with four. He found a streaking Vacas who knew what to do after that. His third game-winning goal of the season is also his fifth since he started at CBU in 2019.

𝐆𝐎𝐋𝐃𝐄𝐍 𝐀𝐆𝐀𝐈𝐍 Tete Vacas nets his second golden goal game-winner of the season to top Seattle U 2-1 in overtime! Luis Mueller set up the final strike!#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/nFjpXvcEx3
— California Baptist Men's Soccer (@CBUmsoccer) October 7, 2021

UP NEXT

The Lancers will return to the Silverlakes Soccer Complex on Saturday, October 9, to face another tough opponent in San Jose State. The Spartans have battled through a very imposing schedule and currently hold 4-5-1 overall record and a 2-1 record in the WAC ahead of their Thursday night bout with Utah Valley. Game time is set for 2 p.m. with free admission to the game.