Lancers Complete Series Sweep Over Aggies

Saturday, March 20

Irvine, Calif.

2 PM

California Baptist University

9-1-2, 7-1-1

NM State

4-9-0, 3-6-0

NM State

California Baptist

Photo by: Elijah Hickman

Lancers Complete Series Sweep Over Aggies

3/20/2021 4:58:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

By: Danny Cross, Assistant Director of Athletics Communications

IRVINE --- California Baptist University used a solid second-half performance to complete the series sweep over NM State on Saturday, as the Lancers beat the Aggies, 2-1.

It marks the Lancers' third conference sweep on the season, previously sweeping Dixie State and Chicago State. The Lancers are now 9-1-2 on the year and tied with Seattle U for the best conference record at 7-1-1.

The Lancers came out with a strong offensive effort in the first half, producing a game-high 13 shots in the first 45 minutes. It was the Aggies, though, who found the back of the net on a counter-attack in the 12th minute to take the 1-0 lead. Despite maintaining possession and peppering the Aggies' goalkeeper, the Lancers went into the break down a goal.

California Baptist continued to knock on the door in the second half, keeping the ball in the offensive third for most of the game.

Romy Salvador gave the Lancers their best chance in the 70th minute, booming a goal kick past the midfield line to Jayden Ramirez. Ramirez flicked the ball with her head and found Rola Badawiya on the attack. Badawiya wasted no time and fired a shot well outside of the box to bend it over the goalkeeper's head for the equalizer.

Salvador to Ramirez and Badawiya does her thing!#LanceUp⚔ pic.twitter.com/8QmAvlgVBh
— California Baptist Women's Soccer (@CBUwsoccer) March 20, 2021

With momentum on their side, the Lancers continued to pester the Aggies' backline with shot after shot. It wasn't until the 83rd minute when Ari Coronado played a ball into the box to find Amy Aquino charging in. Aquino played a header on frame, but the ball was saved and knocked back out in front of the net. Aquino stayed the course and put another header on the ball as it was bouncing away to beat the defense for the go-ahead goal.

AMY AQUINO ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?#LanceUp⚔ pic.twitter.com/vZwXDlNON3
— California Baptist Women's Soccer (@CBUwsoccer) March 20, 2021

It marked Aquino's sixth goal on the season and her second game-winner. The Lancers finished the game outshooting the Aggies, 23-6.

"It's unfortunate to give up an early goal like we did, but I'm proud of our team's fight and grit in response to the adversity," said head coach Kristen St. Clair. "Aside from the goal, our defense was solid and handled the pressure well - two hard-fought goals by Rola and Amy. Rola's perfectly placed shot to the far post and Amy's grit to crash the box and finish the play. Romy made some key saves for us down the stretch to help the team close out the game. They are experienced senior players who came up big for us today. We need to sharpen some things up before next weekend, but it's really good to get the six points this weekend."

UP NEXT:

The Lancers will take their two-game winning streak on the road next week when they face UT Rio Grande Valley on March 25 and March 27.

SOCIAL MEDIA:

Don't forget to follow @CBUwsoccer on Twitter and Instagram to keep up to date with the season.