California Baptist University
2-3-4, 1-0-0
Utah Tech
1-6-2, 0-1-0
Lancers Rally with Two Second Half Goals to Claim Victory in St. George
10/3/2024 10:12:00 PM | Men's Soccer
ST. GEORGE - The history between California Baptist University men's soccer and Utah Tech was fairly lopsided entering tonight's game, and tonight's Lancer victory stuck to that script. CBU is now unbeaten against Utah Tech in men's soccer in eight-straight meetings, as tonight's 2-1 win gives CBU a 12-2-1 all-time record in the matchup. Tonight's victory improved CBU's record to 2-3-4 on the year and 1-0-0 as conference play begins. The Trailblazers move to 1-6-2 with the loss.
"Tonight was a tale of two halves. We were not up to standards in the first half. We challenged the group, and they responded, but we need to bring that performance from the start," reflected Head Coach Coe Michaelson after the game. "I'm happy for some of the guys who have been patient for opportunities. There were some guys who definitely took their chance tonight. In the end, the most important thing was to start the conference play well, and we are happy to take home three points from a very difficult place to play."
The game started off slow as the teams felt each other out, poking and prodding for signs of weakness. They combined for a dozen shots in the first 45 minutes, putting three on goal.
Utah Tech put the first genuinely menacing shot on frame with about 15 minutes left, knocking the crossbar and failing to connect on a rebound header before the Lancers cleared it to safety. The Blazers would keep pushing the action and were rewarded for their effort, scoring in the 41st minute to lead 1-0 at the break.
The winds shifted in the second half as the Lancers came out on fire. It took CBU less than three minutes into the second half to level the contest. Stavros Charalampous fed Blake D'Agostino a perfect lead pass, who took one dribble and slotted the ball past the Blazer goalie and into the far post netting. D'Agostino leads CBU with four goals in his impressive debut season.
Continuing to push the pace, CBU took the lead just 12 minutes later in the 60th minute as Luis Borrero's harassing defense led to a steal, which he walked from midfield to just outside the box, stepped to his right, and let loose a shot from roughly 22 yards out which connected with the right pole and settled into the netting on the right side to give the Lancers the lead.
Having not won a game against CBU since 2016, Utah Tech was not going down quietly, getting seven shots off after the second CBU goal was scored. They nearly found their equalizer in the 77th minute, but standout first-year goalkeeper Hugo Do Rego saw it the whole way and got fingertips to it, pushing it over the crossbar to preserve CBU's lead and, ultimately, the Lancer victory.
While this is technically just the Lancers second win of the season, it puts them atop the conference table as the three points earned tonight matched Seattle U, San Jose State, and San Diego State, who also won their conference openers on the road.
The conference opening road trip continues on Sunday as the Lancers return to Las Vegas to take on the Rebels of UNLV. Game time is set for 6:30 p.m. The forecasted temperatures show in the 100* range at kickoff, so follow along on Instagram and X at @CBUmsoccer for any updates or potential delays.
Team Stats
Oliver Stone (2)
Assisted By: Bryce Backlund
GOAL by UTU Stone, Oliver Assist by Backlund, Bryce.
40:35
Blake D'Agostino (4)
Assisted By: Stavros Charalampous
GOAL by CBU D'Agostino, Blake Assist by Charalampous, Stavros.
47:40
Luis Borrero (1)
GOAL by CBU Borrero, Luis.
59:33
