California Baptist University
6-7-5, 4-4-1
No. 6 Utah Tech
4-10-4, 3-4-2
Lancers Extend Unbeaten Streak Against Utah Tech In Opening Round of WAC Tournament
11/10/2024 8:41:00 PM | Men's Soccer
PHOENIX - For the past two years, California Baptist men's soccer has been paced by longtime Lancers with years of experience playing together. Tonight, a handful of first-year Lancers were the difference as CBU stretched their WAC postseason unbeaten streak to six games courtesy of a 1-0 victory over Utah Tech. Freshman Blake D'Agostino and first-year goalkeeper Hugo Do Rego led the Lancers past the Trailblazers, setting up a rematch on Wednesday against the No. 2-seed Seattle U Redhawks.
"We have nothing but respect for Jonny and his program. They're a difficult opponent and came out with a good plan," stated Head Coach Coe Michaelson after the victory. "We created some good chances to put the game away at 1-0 that we probably should have taken, but once it gets late, you find yourself protecting the lead and the boys at the back did what was needed to preserve the win."
The opening half was led by the aggression of CBU trying to secure an early lead, which they nearly did when Blake D'Agostino made the charging Utah Tech keeper miss but still had three Trailblazer defenders to beat in the box. He let a shot loose, but one of the rogue Trailblazer defenders got to it first, denying D'Agostino his first postseason score. The Lancers had a handful of good chances on-goal and just off, including a late try by Josh Hallenberger that went just a hair wide right. The Trailblazers didn't officially put one on frame, but the Lancers fended off their fair share of menacing buildups to remain scoreless at halftime.
The second half was cut from the same cloth as CBU dominated control of the ball and pace. It took just 16 minutes into the second frame for CBU to break through. A corner kick found an unmarked Alex Henderson on the far side of the goal; he put good pace on it from a half-dive but got under it just a bit, sending the ball ricocheting off the crossbar. However, the angle was to CBU's benefit as D'Agostino was in prime position to collect the rebound and put it in. The linesman on the far end immediately called for a goal, but VAR was utilized to confirm as a diving Utah Tech goalkeeper got a paw on it and sent it out. The evidence wasn't there to support the save, and the goal was upheld.
After some light work in the first half, All-WAC goalkeeper Hugo Do Rego was tested more in the final 45 minutes. He was up to the challenge and made three of his four saves after the Lancers had secured the lead.
D'Agostino was locked in Sunday night, as evidenced by all four of his shots being on frame. Luis Borrero also put on goal and had a near assist later in the second half. Luka Kozomara and Hallenberger also tested the Utah Tech goalline defense on the night. The seven shots on goal tonight are tied for the second most this season by the Lancers, a positive trend for a squad set for another grueling three-game run in the WAC Tournament.
Michaelson added a thought about the upcoming test against Seattle U, "In the end, I thought we deserved the win but it wasn't easy, and it won't get any easier on Wednesday."
CBU will again play the second game of the day when they take on Seattle U on Wednesday. This upcoming matchup between the two and three seeds is a rematch of the Lancers' only home day game this season, where the Redhawks pulled off a miracle, scoring the game-winner with just 17 ticks left on the game clock. Game time is set for 6:00 p.m. Pacific time and can be watched live on ESPN+.
Team Stats
Blake D'Agostino (6)
Assisted By: Alex Henderson
GOAL by CBU D'Agostino, Blake Assist by Henderson, Alex.
61:46
