History in Riverside as CBU Takes Down No. 20 UC Irvine

Monday, September 22

Riverside, Calif.

7:00 PM

California Baptist University

5-1-1, 0-0-0

UC Irvine

5-2-1, 0-0-0

UC Irvine

California Baptist

Photo by: Jonathan Vivanco

History in Riverside as CBU Takes Down No. 20 UC Irvine

9/22/2025 9:41:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

By: Matt Horrocks, Assistant Athletic Director of Communications and Digital Media

RIVERSIDE --- The nation's 20th-ranked program, the UC Irvine Anteaters, visited Riverside on Monday night for a glimpse at next year's conference layout in the Big West. Looking to accomplish something never done in CBU's Division I era, a pair of first-half goals paved the way for a 2-0 Lancer victory.

CBU's victory, their fifth of the season, is a historic one as it marks the first time the Lancers have beaten a Division I-ranked opponent. The Lancers are now 5-1-1, with one non-conference test remaining on the 2025 schedule.

Monday's loss, their second in a row, drops the Anteaters to 5-2-1.

"UCI is a very good, well-coached team," said head coach Coe Michaelson. "We knew it was a big opportunity, and while they had a fair bit of possession, I felt we did a great job of controlling the game through our defensive work and organization. We managed their movement and technical quality well and we are an elite counter attacking team, so the threat is always there once we win possession."

Captain Drew Hardin was the beneficiary of a Liam Jones free kick in the opening half, setting up the Lancers' first goal of the night. Jones ripped a free kick off the crossbar, ricocheting down to the foot of Hardin, who slotted home his second goal of the season.

Drew cashes in on the rebound!#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/uMFUiNyIxB
— California Baptist Men's Soccer (@CBUmsoccer) September 23, 2025

Eight minutes after Hardin's 22nd-minute tally, the Lancers earned a chance to double their lead when junior Felix Ezekwuka was fouled in the box, drawing a penalty attempt for the Lancers.

Sophomore Blake D'Agostino was called to attempt the penalty. The striker aimed right and subsequently found the back of the net, giving him his sixth goal of the season. D'Agostino has scored in six straight matches, placing him one goal shy of the program's longest goal-scoring streak.

Goalkeeper Hugo Do Rego wrapped up his second shutout of the season with six saves. His counterpart, Joe O'Shaughnessy, finished with no saves as CBU's only attempts on goal found the back of the net.

"I'm also pleased with how we managed the game late, even though we did need Hugo to come up with one big time late save," added Michaelson. "That's been a point of emphasis, and it's good to see we are learning. We need to continue to grow in order to achieve our goals. Now we have a very difficult road game Friday, so we need to re-focus and close out our non-conference strong."

One match remains on the Lancers' non-conference schedule, as CBU will travel crosstown on Friday to square off with UC Riverside. This will be the final non-conference meeting between the two sides before CBU joins the Big West Conference in 2026.

The Lancers will open the WAC season in San Jose on October 4 and will be back at home on October 9 against UNLV. Tickets for all WAC home contests are on sale HERE.