California Baptist University
8-1-2, 6-1-1
NM State
4-8-0, 3-5-0
Lancers Use Strong Second Half to Overtake Aggies
3/18/2021 6:54:00 PM | Women's Soccer
IRVINE --- California Baptist University showed its offensive force on Thursday evening, as the Lancers opened up the two-game series against NM State with a 3-1 victory.
With the win, the Lancers improve to 8-1-2 on the season and a WAC-best 6-1-1. NM State falls to 3-8 on the year and 3-5 in the WAC to stay in fifth place.
The Aggies were quick to take over possession in the opening minutes, as it took the Lancers awhile to get into the groove of things. After settling in, the Lancers started to pepper the Aggies with a couple of shots on goal. In a counterattack, the Aggies were the first to draw blood, finding the back of the net at the 22nd minute to go up, 1-0.
Without delay or any worry, the Lancers stayed the course and continued to pour in shots at the Aggies' goalkeeper.
Makayla Soll gained possession at midfield and played a ball to the right side, finding Faith Lee, who beat her defender and put a wonderful cross into the box. The cross found Karley Weeks at the front of the net, who tapped the ball in for the equalizer.
Two perfect passes to setup Weeks for the equalizer! #LanceUp⚔ pic.twitter.com/feBuz8aDNG
— California Baptist Women's Soccer (@CBUwsoccer) March 18, 2021
Both teams would go into the break tied at 1-1, as the Lancers led 8-4 in shots.
The second half felt like a chess match, as both teams looked for a mistake on the defensive end. Erin Gallagher anchored the Lancers' backline making sure each attempt was met with a clearance. The Aggies' best chance at the go-ahead goal came at the 78th minute, but Romy Salvador put a stop to it with a monster save.
What a save by Romy to keep us all tied up! #LanceUp⚔ pic.twitter.com/pIUM9KE2mU
— California Baptist Women's Soccer (@CBUwsoccer) March 18, 2021
The Lancers went on the attack two minutes later, as Lee gathered a pass and beat her defender down the sideline to put another cross into the box. Ari Coronado was in the right spot this time, flicking the ball over the goalkeeper's head for the go-ahead goal.
What a pass! What a finish! #LanceUp⚔ pic.twitter.com/ly55lFodUG
— California Baptist Women's Soccer (@CBUwsoccer) March 18, 2021
The Lancers put the cherry on top seven minutes later, as Rola Badawiya took on two defenders for the game's final goal. CBU finished the game outshooting the Aggies, 17-9.
Rola Badawiya is a magician! #LanceUp⚔ pic.twitter.com/weBg8m1Oua
— California Baptist Women's Soccer (@CBUwsoccer) March 18, 2021
"We had a poor start to the first half and did not execute well," said head coach Kristen St. Clair. "We needed to be more consistent in our work rate. It was unfortunate to have the goal called back early on, as I thought the team executed that very well. In the second half, I thought our team responded well and executed better. We created better attacking opportunities in the final third, while Romy and our defense shut down any opportunities by our opponent. I'm proud of the team for its response in the second half to get the three points. We'll learn from this game and begin preparing for game two on Saturday."
UP NEXT:
The Lancers will complete the two-game series against the Aggies on Saturday, March 20, at 2 p.m. at the Orange County Great Park.
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Don't forget to follow @CBUwsoccer on Twitter and Instagram to keep up to date with the season.
Team Stats
Xitlaly Hernandez (8)
GOAL by NMSU Hernandez, Xitlaly.
21:59
Karley Weeks (4)
Assisted By: Makayla Soll , Faith Lee
GOAL by CBU Weeks, Karley Assist by Soll, Makayla and Lee, Faith.
29:15
Ari Coronado (3)
Assisted By: Faith Lee
GOAL by CBU Coronado, Ari Assist by Lee, Faith.
79:55
Rola Badawiya (6)
GOAL by CBU Badawiya, Rola.
86:08
