CBU Tames the Wildcats on Sunday Evening

Sunday, October 6

Riverside, Calif.

6:00 PM

California Baptist University

6-4-2, 2-1-0

Abilene Christian

2-5-6, 0-3-0

Abilene Christian

California Baptist

Photo by: Madison Sardana

CBU Tames the Wildcats on Sunday Evening

10/6/2024 11:05:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

By: Mariah Rodriguez, Assistant Director of Athletic Communications and Digital Media

RIVERSIDE--- It was a second-half thriller for the California Baptist women's soccer on Sunday evening as they hosted Abilene Christian for the third Western Athletic Conference play contest. After a two-hour delay due to air quality, the Wildcats scored first, but perseverance from the Lancers would see a pair of goals find the back of the net in the second half for a gritty 2-1 win. CBU improves to 6-4-2 overall this season and now owns a 2-1 WAC record.

The first half was competitive from the first whistle and remained scoreless in a defensive stalemate through the 43rd minute, which saw the Wildcats score a late first-half goal. CBU was knocking at the door during the first 45 minutes, popping off ten shots with no luck. Nonetheless, the Lancers persisted after the half and came out of the gates on the attack led by Kaylee Hauck as a second-half starter. After five shots, Lauryn White found the equalizer in the 63rd minute after a flick from Rilee Harmon put her in position to tap in her third goal of the season. Not even eight minutes later, California Baptist knocked in the game-winner, finding Jana Heinen off a corner kick service from Morgan Witz.

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The final 20 minutes of the match was a dogfight, and ACU's best chance to tie the game came in the 77th minute after a Wildcat drove down the right side of the field and launched a shot into the near post that CBU's Bella Lister saved to keep the Lancers ahead. The intense match saw four yellow cards awarded to California Baptist, while none were distributed to the visitors despite an almost even amount of fouls. Harmon paced the Lancers on the attack, firing a pair of shots on frame and earning an assist on the equalizing goal. Lister tied her season-high saves in a single match with seven against ACU.

"I could not be more proud of the resilience our team displayed tonight. To come back from being down a goal despite all the adversity we are going through with so many injuries shows the character and fight of our team," said Head Coach Kristen St. Clair.

"I am incredibly proud of the leadership displayed by our seniors to grit their way to 3 points through their leadership. On the first goal, Jayden and Rilee Harmon had a fantastic buildup to Lauryn's equalizer. The second goal once again was created by seniors Morgan Witz to a beautiful set piece finish by Jana. We will enjoy this result tonight, before turning our full attention on next weeks opponent," finished St. Clair.

CBU now sits in third place in the conference standings, behind Seattle U with a 2-0-1 record. Grand Canyon and Utah Valley currently sit tied for first with a perfect 3-0 record during WAC play. The Lancers will now gear up for a trio of away matches as conference continues, facing Utah Tech first on Saturday evening at 7 p.m. in St. George.