California Baptist University
2-1-0, 0-0-0
Gonzaga
0-3-0, 0-0-0
Iliohan Records a Brace as Lancers Top Gonzaga
9/1/2022 10:13:00 PM | Men's Soccer
RIVERSIDE – California Baptist University men's soccer opened September at home on Thursday night, with a match against West Coast Conference foe Gonzaga University. The Lancers remain perfect in the new CBU Soccer Stadium after downing the Bulldogs, 3-1. CBU improves to 2-1 on the season while Gonzaga is still in search of its first win, now standing at 0-3.
A standing-room only crowd of 527 Lancer fans witnessed a pair of goals from the illustrious Bryan Iliohan, and a beautiful flying score from Grady Kozack, the first of his Lancer career. The brace for Iliohan is his second against Gonzaga, doing so last season in Spokane, completing both in the first half of play.
"Gonzaga really gave us some problems in the first half, but the adjustments our guys were able to make were decisive," said Head Coach Coe Michaelson after the win. "We had so much control in the second half, I just felt it was an excellent performance. Ily's early goals were so big for us after some slow starts, and Grady was just excellent. He really deserved that final goal because his play as our 10 was just exceptional tonight."
Iliohan recorded 13 goals a season ago but was still in search of his first in 2022 entering Thursday's match. He wasted no time erasing that zero from his goal column as he bolted behind the Zag's defensive line to score the opener just three minutes into the game. Brian Gonzalez set up Iliohan's run with a wonderful leading pass for his first assist of the year.
The Bulldogs would level the score 10 minutes later, but that would be one of just two shots on goal Thursday night as the Lancers' backline denied the Zags repeatedly during the game. Iliohan lifted CBU back on top in the 22nd minute, as David Cordes sent a crisp pass through the box from the right side, threading Bulldog feet to find Iliohan, who tucked it into the far post to capture his brace.
CBU would rip 10 more shots in the second half, forcing the Bulldog goalkeeper into making five saves. The Lancers finally broke through again with an insurance goal in the 87th minute from the newly-minted Lancer Kozack, who came flying in from the top of the box, connecting with the a Luis Mueller cross and pounding into the back of the net with his right foot in mid-air to seal the victory for CBU.
CBU goalkeeper Nolan Premack made his second start of the season, stopping one shot but aggressively defending alongside his defensive line, denying Gonzaga shots before they could even attempt them.
The men will take to the home pitch again for their next game, hosting the University of San Diego on Monday, September 5. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at CBU Soccer Stadium.
Team Stats
Bryan Iliohan (2)
Assisted By: Brian Gonzalez
GOAL by CBU Iliohan, Bryan Assist by Gonzalez, Brian.
02:38
Demitrius Kigeya (1)
Assisted By: Johnny Hansen
GOAL by GU Kigeya, Demitrius Assist by Hansen, Johnny.
13:16
Bryan Iliohan (2)
Assisted By: David Cordes
GOAL by CBU Iliohan, Bryan Assist by Cordes, David.
21:40
Grady Kozak (1)
Assisted By: Luis Mueller
GOAL by CBU Kozak, Grady Assist by Mueller, Luis.
86:43
