Late Goal from Aquino Clinches a Crosstown Showdown Victory for CBU

Thursday, September 22

Riverside, Calif.

7 PM

California Baptist University

4-3-1, 0-0-0

UC Riverside

1-5-2, 0-0-0

UC Riverside

California Baptist

Photo by: Elijah Hickman

Late Goal from Aquino Clinches a Crosstown Showdown Victory for CBU

9/22/2022 10:31:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

By: Daniel Cook, Assistant Director of Athletics Communications

RIVERSIDE – The always hotly contested Crosstown Showdown took place for the first time at the CBU Soccer Stadium with a record setting crowd of 1,319 fans witnessing a thrilling victory for California Baptist University, overtaking UC Riverside in the final minutes to earn a 2-1 victory.

The Highlanders fall to 1-5-2 this season, while the win pushes CBU's record to 4-3-1 on the year with non-conference play finished for 2022. The Lancers also remain unbeaten in their new home, now owning a 4-0-1 record on campus.

"I'm really happy for the guys because we have had a few games not go our way recently that we probably deserved more from, and when they scored it seemed to fit the same script," Head Coach Coe Michaelson said after the win. "We created so many scoring chances, the game should have been over at half time, and all of a sudden we find ourselves down 1-0. So to overcome that adversity and respond the way we did is a huge testament to our resilience and competitive character. I'm not sure the score line reflected just how well we played tonight and the chances we created, but it was certainly exciting, so we will take it!"

The first half opened fast and stayed that way through much of the first 45 minutes. The two teams combined for eight shots in the first, but were unable to connect on any of them.

UCR broke the game open early in the second half with a goal just five minutes after play resumed. However, the Lancers would not trail for long, as David Cordes sent a laser in from the top of the 18-yard box and tucked it in just beneath the crossbar for the dramatic equalizer in the 53^rd minute.

❗️G⚽️AL❗️ David Cordes' his first goal as a Lancer is a BIG one! Leveling the Crosstown Showdown at one-all!#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/9qOjdyhnjO
— California Baptist Men's Soccer (@CBUmsoccer) September 23, 2022

The game was physical and draining as both teams battled for the lead. Altogether, the two sides loosed 26 shots on Thursday night, with CBU outshooting UCR 17-9. No shot was more important than Lincoln Aquino's first career game-winner in the 87^th minute. Luis Mueller and Bryan Iliohan together found Aquino streaking through the box as the third-year midfielder sent in his first goal of the season.

❗️G⚽️⚽️AL❗️ Lincoln Aquino FTW!!!#LanceUp⚔️ | #BeatUCR pic.twitter.com/oS6asJUV0W
— California Baptist Men's Soccer (@CBUmsoccer) September 23, 2022

Iliohan assisted on both Lancer goals on the night, pushing his point total to eight and his assist total to four on the season, both tops on the team. Mueller is just one point behind him with seven, while Cordes is third.

The men now have some time to get healthy before opening conference play as they are off until October 7, when they travel to Colorado Springs to take on Air Force at 6 p.m. Pacific time.