California Baptist University
9-3-3, 4-2-1
San Diego State University
7-8-2, 3-2-2
Lawson's 89th Minute Goal Secures a WAC Championship
11/1/2025 10:05:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Saturday's win solidifies the first regular-season conference championship in the program's eight-year Division I history.
"I've got nothing but pride for this group tonight," said head coach Coe Michaelson. "I tell them constantly that there is nothing of any value that you will earn in life without overcoming adversity. At half time we challenged them to respond with strength of character, to fight their way back and show their quality, and that's exactly what they did. It wasn't easy, but that's what makes it so fulfilling."
It was an uphill battle for the Lancers, as a goal for SDSU in the first half put CBU in a 1-0 hole entering the intermission. The Aztecs registered seven shots in the opening half, with two finishing on target.
The Lancers knew coming into the match that a draw would do no good, as CBU needed to win to clinch the top seed in the conference tournament. An Aztec win would clinch the WAC for SDSU, and a draw would set up tiebreaking scenarios between SDSU, Grand Canyon, and Utah Tech.
Needing an equalizer, the Lancers wasted no time out of the intermission as the leveling strike came less than two minutes into the second half. Tizian Marth connected on his third goal of the season, with Felix Ezekwuka and Lawson recording assists.
The score then remained deadlocked at one, with the Lancers continuing to fight for the goal ahead strike. There were multiple close looks, including a free kick from Liam Jones that narrowly missed and a strike from 30 yards out by Stavros Charalampous that was blocked.
Finally, with less than five minutes to go, CBU caught a break when a second yellow card placed the Aztecs a man down. The Lancers capitalized on the advantage, with freshman Alexander Cruz setting up the championship moment with less than two minutes to go.
Cruz played the ball into the box towards Lawson, who connected on the near post to send the CBU bench into a frenzy.
The Aztecs would get one final look at tying the match when a potential handball in the box sent the center referee to the replay table, but after review, it was determined that no foul had been committed.
CBU, who ends the WAC regular season 4-2-1, has earned a first-round bye in the conference tournament and will wait to see who their next opponent will be. What is known is that the Lancers will play next on Wednesday, November 12.
Tickets for the WAC Tournament are on sale HERE.
Team Stats
Terence Okoeguale (3)
Assisted By: Juan Zepeda
After right-sided throw-in, square pass toward center from 9 to 10 and right-footed shot from 10 just outside penalty box that GK was unable to handle; squirted into upper right
28:38
Tizian Marth (3)
Assisted By: Felix Ezekwuka , William Lawson
5 finds 22 on right wing; cross is slammed home right-footed from around penalty spot into bottom left
46:51
William Lawson (2)
Assisted By: Alexander Cruz
Right-sided cross and right-footed shot at near post into left side
88:14
