OREM, UTAH - After a strong 2-0 win on Sunday, the California Baptist University men's soccer team traveled to Utah Valley and earned a hard-fought 1-1 result against the Wolverines. CBU now sits at 6-5-4 on the year and 4-1-2 in conference play.
"Today wasn't a vintage performance, and while he should be fine, losing Leo early certainly had an impact. But in spite of their possession we had plenty of chances. We have to have a bit better focus and not give poor goals away in situations we control, but we also have to acknowledge that UVU is a good team who hasn't lost a game at their home field in over two years for a reason," stated Head Coach Coe Michaelson after the game. "At the end of the night, while we wanted it to go a bit differently, it's a good point that gets us closer to solidifying a first round bye."
The temperature at first kick was a brisk 45 degrees and falling, but the Lancers came out hot. CBU was aggressive early, getting off multiple shots in the game's opening minutes. It came to a head in the 25th minute when Luis Mueller drew a foul inside the box to earn a penalty shot. He lined up himself on the dot and took his usual four steps back to set up, took aim, and fired a ball with so much behind it that he scored despite the Wolverine goalkeeper getting a piece of it on the way by.
The Lancer defense would step up almost immediately as the Wolverines tried to catch CBU taking it easy after the goal. Utah Valley hit two well-struck passes back-to-back to set up a volley inside the 18, finding a jumping head, but Premack was ready for it, making one of his three saves of the first half.
The Lancers took that lead into halftime, but UVU wasted no time going on the offensive. The Wolverines found the back of the net in the 46th minute off a free kick set play, but CBU had managed to pull an attacker offside first, erasing the goal and saving the lead. CBU would be called for a foul inside the 18, gifting UVU a penalty kick that would connect and level the score in the 63rd minute.
CBU had a handful of good chances after that, as David Cordes nearly buried a beautiful header in the 75th minute, and Drew Hardin almost put in a rebound in the 84th minute, followed by multiple shots and blocks, but it wasn't meant to be.
With eyes on the regular season finale at Air Force, the Lancers remain in sole possession of second place in the WAC standings with 14 points. The first-round bye that comes with that higher seeding would be welcomed for the additional rest before the WAC Tournament. However, the Lancers must now face a Falcons squad who just defeated Grand Canyon, and despite being mathematically eliminated from the playoffs this year, they remain a team looking to end their season with a win. Sunday's conclusion is set for a 12:00 p.m. start time.
