Lancers Dominate Home Opener Against San Diego

Monday, September 6

Norco, Calif.

3 PM

California Baptist University

2-0-1, 0-0-0

University of San Diego

0-4-0, 0-0-0

San Diego

California Baptist

Photo by: Zac Zeman

Lancers Dominate Home Opener Against San Diego

9/6/2021 6:51:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

By: Daniel Cook, Assistant Director of Athletics Communications

NORCO, CA – Labor Day was no vacation for the California Baptist University men's soccer team, which hosted the University of San Diego in its home opener. The Lancers took the contest by a score of 2-1. CBU remains unbeaten on the year with a record of 2-0-1 while San Diego drops to 0-4.

"I was really pleased with our start to the game but it was also a lesson for us that when you're dominant in this game you need to make it count because San Diego hit us against the run of play," said Head Coach Coe Michaelson. "But, it was great to see the response of the guys to fight back and deservedly win. On another day, we would have scored more but the fact we created so many chances is a big positive."

The Lancers got off to a fast start, recording three shots and earning three corner kicks in the first 15 minutes, but the Toreros would strike first with a goal in the 15^thminute.

Not too long after, the Lancers' early season scoring leader Brian Gonzalez netted his third goal in three games, sending a shot into the right corner from his right foot, leveling the game at one goal apiece. Gonzalez now has nine career goals for the Lancers and is close to matching his personal season-high of four set during the 2019 season.

Brian Gonzalez: Certified Lancer Boy! 3️⃣ goals in 3️⃣ games!#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/dAjeTePF7b
— California Baptist Men's Soccer (@CBUmsoccer) September 6, 2021

The tied game would resume in the second half with a determined CBU squad that locked down defensively and held the Toreros without a single shot in the final 45 minutes.

CBU pressed the action, releasing five more shots on USD in the opening 25 minutes of the second half. The difference in the game came in the 72^nd minute when CBU was awarded a penalty kick.

Sophomore Luis Mueller lined up his shot and released a ball so well struck that despite the USD goalkeeper guessing correctly and diving right, Mueller's shot still found the back of the net.

Luis. Called. Game!#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/uSPQz9c6nT
— California Baptist Men's Soccer (@CBUmsoccer) September 7, 2021

USD would continue to push late into the game, garnering a pair of corner kicks in the final two minutes, but neither ball caused starting goalkeeper Gage Rogers any trouble.

The Lancers dominated statistically, outshooting the Toreros 18-5, putting eight of them on frame compared to USD's two. Six Lancers had multiple shots on the day, led by Gonzalez and Tete Vacas, who each tallied four.

UP NEXT

California Baptist University men's soccer now prepares for the Crosstown Showdown, its annual contest against UC Riverside, which currently owns a 3-0 record, including a 2-0 win against USD on September 3. The Lancers will travel across town and play at the UCR Soccer Stadium with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.