California Baptist University
4-5-5, 3-2-1
Grand Canyon
5-7-3, 2-3-1
Lancers Down Lopes Late In Phoenix
10/24/2024 10:11:00 PM | Men's Soccer
PHOENIX - Games against Grand Canyon are always on another level, but add playing in Phoenix with a WAC Tournament spot on the line to it, and it's going to be a classic. Tonight's game did not disappoint as the Lancers fell behind in the second half but came through with a 2-1 win after getting two goals in five minutes. The result improves the California Baptist record to 4-5-5 on the year but, more importantly, bumps the league tally to 3-2-1 with 10 points, giving CBU sole possession of the third place. GCU's falter puts them on the outside looking in with seven points. They are currently the first team out of the tournament they are set to host in two weeks.
"I'm really proud of the guys and particularly how we responded to going down early in the second half. We knew they would have some dangerous moments on the counter, but beyond their goal and a few chances early in the game, I thought we managed them well and maintained a lot of control," said Head Coach Coe Michaelson after the game. He added, "This was a full team win where we had to go to the next man up several times, and the guys came in, executed, and contributed to a great team road win at a very difficult place to play."
The first half was a defensive battle as both teams played to their strengths, leaning heavily on their backlines and goalkeepers to play to a scoreless draw by halftime. Each team had a pair of good chances, with GCU being denied once by Hugo Do Rego and by the crossbar the second time. Michael Mor put a strong shot on frame for CBU, but with no traffic to mask the shot, the Lopes keeper made it look like an easy stop, and Blake D'Agostino got a point-blank shot off only to denied by a right-place-right-time defender.
The script was flipped in the second half as both sides made huge offensive pushes, knowing that a draw was not the result needed at this point of the season. GCU struck first when a long pass and a beautiful touch culminated in a touch that lifted over Do Regos' charging, outstretched hands.
Now trailing by a goal, the Lancers put six shots onto the Lopes defense, unable to connect, until, after back-to-back corner kicks, Jan Quispel connected with the head of David Cordes who tucked in his second goal of the season between the goalkeepers legs to level the game at 1-1.
Just five minutes later, the Lancer push continued as Otto Gustafsson put a shot on frame that the GCU keeper attempted to punch out, but managed to punch it into the head of a teammate which sent the ball flying back to the net. A second Lope defender got a toe on it just as it was heading into the net but couldn't bring it out as the ball tucked into the top of the net for a GCU own goal, giving CBU the lead.
Both teams fought for another goal for the remaining 10 minutes, but neither would record an official shot attempt resulting in the Lancers victory.
The Lancers will look to turn this win into a streak on Sunday as they take on the Vaqueros of UTRGV. Game time is set for 10 a.m. Pacific time.
Team Stats
Solo Bidanessy (2)
Assisted By: Xande Santos
GOAL by GCU Bidanessy, Solo Assist by Santos, Xande.
49:03
David Cordes (2)
Assisted By: Jan Quispel
GOAL by CBU Cordes, David Assist by Quispel, Jan.
75:35
0
GOAL by CBU TEAM.
80:03
