CBU Heads to UCLA for First-Ever NCAA Tournament Appearance
11/17/2022 12:00:00 PM | Men's Soccer
LOS ANGELES --- After a magical ride through the Western Athletic Conference Tournament, the Lancers are headed to the NCAA tournament to face the UCLA Bruins. CBU won three games in five days during the WAC tournament, defeating Utah Valley (3-2), Air Force (2-0), and San Jose State 0-0 (3-1 PK's). UCLA finished their season 10-6-1 with a 4-4-1 PAC-12 record to secure a second-straight at-large bid.
The Lancers are headed to Westwood! CBU will face off with UCLA ON Thursday, Nov. 17th! More details to follow! Start planning your trip Lancer fans!#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/Pz0cfZJoY4
— California Baptist Men's Soccer (@CBUmsoccer) November 14, 2022
UCLA will be making its 47th appearance in the NCAA tournament and has won four national championships, with the most recent coming in 2002. The Bruins are joined by three other PAC-12 teams, including Oregon State, Washington, and Stanford, all of whom secured first-round byes as national seeds. Four players from the Bruins made the PAC-12 All-Conference 2nd Team, including goalkeeper Nate Crockford, defender Pietro Grassi, forward Tommy Silva, and midfielder Yoni Sorokin. Silva ranked fifth in the conference in assists with seven, and Crockford led the PAC-12 in saves with 55.
Meanwhile, the Lancers had five players named to the All-WAC teams, led by Bryan Iliohan and Thomas Beecham earning their way onto the first team. David Cordes and Luis Mueller made the second team, and Adolfo Pino was named to the all-freshman team. After an epic three-game run, keeper Nolan Premack was named the WAC Tournament MVP. Premack had 13 saves, two shutouts, and a blocked penalty kick to secure the win for the Lancers in the championship game
1⃣3⃣ Saves
— California Baptist Men's Soccer (@CBUmsoccer) November 14, 2022
2⃣ Shutouts
1⃣ Blocked PK
Nolan Premack more than earned the top award from the @WACsports Men's Soccer Tournament! #LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/EY37mNyKtI
This will be the first-ever meeting between the Bruins and the Lancers and will be held at Wallis Annenberg Stadium on Thursday, November 15, at 5 p.m. For more information about the game visit the UCLA scheduled website.
