CBU Faces West Virginia In First Action of 2023

Thursday, August 24

Morgantown, WV

5 PM

California Baptist University

0-1-0, 0-0-0

(RV) West Virginia

1-0-0, 0-0-0

California Baptist

West Virginia

Photo by: Elijah Hickman

CBU Faces West Virginia In First Action of 2023

8/24/2023 8:00:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

By: Daniel Cook, Director of Athletics Communications & Digital Media

MORGANTOWN, WV – California Baptist University men's soccer officially began the new season on Thursday night against West Virginia (RV). Despite outshooting their hosts 12-10 on the night and holding a plus-three advantage in corner kicks, the Lancers would eventually fall to the Mountaineers by a score of 3-0. Eight new Lancers made their debut in Morgantown tonight, including seven true freshmen, six of whom played 39 minutes or more against WVU.

"We knew playing tough teams on the road would be a challenge and the flow of the game was far more balanced than the score indicates. The score line doesn't feel that way, but there were some real positives, particularly with some of what we did in possession between the 18s. But tonight was a reminder that the game is won and lost inside the 18s and they were better than us in that regard tonight. It's an important lesson we need to carry forward that will make us better."

The game began with an aggressive Mountaineer side pressing the action, earning a pair of corner kicks in the first 10 minutes of action and three offside calls. Eventually, the pressure would result in a WVU goal in the 15th minute. CBU would respond positively, though, ending the half with a good opportunity on goal and outshooting WVU 5-4 after the goal.

The second half saw Lancer senior Anthony Vargas put one on frame early. Still, the Mountaineers would double their lead in the 55th minute after a long cross connected with a streaking WVU player and found its way just inside the far post to give WVU a 2-0 advantage. The home team added one more in the 86th minute to reach the final score of 3-nil.

The Lancers remain on the road for the season's second game, heading next to Ann Arbor, Michigan, to take on the Wolverines on Sunday. The game is set to kick off at 10:00 a.m. Pacific time.