California Baptist University
5-1-2, 0-0-0
UC Riverside
2-3-3, 0-0-0
Crosstown Showdown Ends in a Drenched Draw
9/26/2025 10:33:00 PM | Men's Soccer
RIVERSIDE --- The floodgates opened on Friday night, as a downpour overtook the UCR Soccer Stadium and the 2025 installment of the Crosstown Showdown. On a night where it seemed all things were going against the Lancers, a goal in the late stages salvaged a 1-1 draw.
Head coach Coe Michaelson offered his thoughts after the game, noting, We had a lot of control tonight, and we were very unfortunate to find ourselves behind. But soccer isn't always fair. UCR have a good team and defended well tonight while having a couple dangerous moments on the counter.
The Lancers controlled possession for 56 percent of Friday's matchup with the UC Riverside Highlanders. Their possession turned into 15 corner kicks, but only two shots on goal.
There appeared to be two more attempts on frame for the CBU offense, but the Lancers were stymied by a pair of offside calls that disallowed two CBU goals. The first potential goal was scored by Felix Ezekwuka in the first half, but the officials' flag went up and no official review was made of the call. Haroun Conteh was next to score in the second half, but again the official's flag went up. This time, VAR was used, but the call on the field was upheld.
Official review was also used in the first half when the Highlanders were awarded a penalty attempt. The review confirmed a foul did occur, but the goal scoring opportunity was denied by a clutch save from goalkeeper Hugo Do Rego.
Less than two minutes after Do Rego's save, the Highlanders struck for a goal in the 27th minute.
The 1-0 lead continued deep into the second half, when rain began to fall on Riverside. The downpour woke up the sleeping CBU offense, as a pass from Uly Martinez set up a Blake D'Agostino goal to level the contest near the 80th minute.
D'Agostino's goal marks seven consecutive matches with a goal scored, equaling the Division I program record set by Luis Mueller in 2023.
Ultimately, I am proud of the guys for keeping their composure and showing the resilience to fight back, concluded Michaelson. A draw is the least we deserved. Now we refocus for the WAC where there are a handful of teams in the conference having very good seasons.
The Lancers, now 5-1-2, will shift their focus to conference action as Friday brought to an end CBU's non-conference slate. CBU will open its final WAC season on October 4 when they visit San Jose State.
CBU will be back in Riverside on October 9 to host UNLV.
Team Stats
Edward Castro (3)
Assisted By: Eric Martinez
GOAL by UCR Castro, Edward Assist by Martinez, Eric.
26:29
Blake D'Agostino (7)
Assisted By: Uly Martinez
GOAL by CBU D'Agostino, Blake Assist by Martinez, Uly.
78:32
