California Baptist University
Utah Tech
Men's Soccer Prepares for Tournament Title Defense in Las Vegas
11/7/2023 12:07:00 PM | Men's Soccer
RIVERSIDE - Reigning WAC Champions California Baptist University are in Las Vegas, preparing to defend their title from a season ago. Unlike last season when the Lancers needed to win three games in five days, the 2023 tournament is more favorable to the the Southern California squad who earned a first-round bye in recognition of finishing the regular season in the top two of the standings.
With first-round tournament action happening last Sunday afternoon, the Lancers' second-round opponent was determined when Utah Tech defeated 2022 Championship finalist San Jose State, 1-0. Now CBU will face the Trailblazer side that they dispatched 2-0 on Senior Day at CBU Soccer Stadium on October 22.
The scoreline from the last match doesn't tell the whole story, as the teams were nine minutes away from a scoreless draw in Riverside before Luis Mueller and Drew Hardin gave CBU the winning scores in the 81st and 90th minutes, respectively.
The Trailblazers finished the regular season on top of mount .500 with an overall record of 8-8 and a 4-4 WAC record. Utah Tech lays claim as one of six programs in Division I that have not recorded a tie this season, an increasingly rare feat since the NCAA changed the overtime rule last season.
The Trailblazers are led offensively by Austin Wallace, the only Utah Tech player to reach double-digit points this season, with 10. In total, nine Blazers have scored in 2023, but five of them have done so only once, and only Angel Saldana's goal against Air Force was a game-winner, so threats on the Lancers' defensive end are few but legitimate.
The Lancers should be rested and largely healthy going into this 2/3 matchup as they enter this game, having 10 days between kickoff and the last game they played at Air Force on October 29. Kickoff between the sides is set for 7:00 p.m. at host UNLV's home, Peter Johann Memorial Field.
