Wednesday, September 30
Spokane, WA
7:00 PM
California Baptist University
7-2-0, 1-0-0
5
at
2
Gonzaga University
3-4-2, 0-1-0
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| California Baptist | 4 | 1 | 5 |
| Gonzaga | 0 | 2 | 2 |
Photo by: Matt Horrocks
Ojo’s Hat Trick Lifts CBU to Pac-12 Opening Win
9/30/2026 10:04:00 PM | Men's Soccer
SPOKANE, WA --- It was a historic day for California Baptist and the men's soccer program, as CBU kicked off its first-ever Pac-12 match on Wednesday, with the Lancers visiting Gonzaga University. Led by a freshman's hat trick, CBU scored its most goals against a Division I opponent since 2021 as it topped the Bulldogs, 5-2.
The Lancers now sit 7-2-0 (1-0-0 Pac-12) and are the owners of three points in the conference standings.
"We got a little sloppy at the end, but ultimately we are really pleased with the performance tonight," said head coach Coe Michaelson. "We can feel the momentum building as we inch closer to getting most of our guys healthy and back on the field. We know there isn't an easy game in the conference, so this was a great way to start."
Goals came in bunches in the first half, as CBU set a new season-high in scoring just 37 minutes into action. Blake D'Agostino, the conference's leading goalscorer, was first to find the back of the net when he beat Gonzaga goalkeeper Chema Preciado with a right-footed strike towards the far post.
D'Agostino's goal was set up via a flick from Drew Hardin. Hardin assumes the team lead in assists with three.
CBU's second strike came in the 29th minute. Freshman Adam Marsli drove a low free kick into the penalty area, and the ball skipped through traffic before sneaking inside the far post. The goal was the first of Marsli's collegiate career.
From that point on, the CBU offense was all Justin Ojo.
Ojo netted his first goal of the day in the 37th minute when D'Agostino set up the freshman on a run into the penalty area. Ojo sent a strike into the back of the net, extending the Lancers' lead to three. Ojo then scored his second of the half when Uly Martinez set up Ojo for a curling attempt on frame that snuck under the crossbar.
The first-half brace was not enough as Ojo then claimed his first collegiate hat trick early in the second half. Stavros Charalampous played a long ball into the Lancers' attacking third, setting up Ojo to make a run and score once again. Initially, Ojo was signaled to be offside, but after video review, it was ruled Ojo was in fact onside, giving CBU a 5-0 lead.
Ojo's hat trick was only the third of CBU's Division I era.
"I was very happy to see Justin have such a good game," added Michaelson. "He's extremely gifted; if he just keeps his feet on the ground, focused on growing and improving, the sky is the limit for him."
Gonzaga did not go down in its Pac-12 debut without a fight, as the Bulldogs netted a pair of goals in the second half. The first came on a penalty attempt in the 74th minute. The Bulldogs added their second with 90 seconds remaining.
Goalkeeper Ulrik Stroem, who came into Wednesday with five consecutive shutouts, finished with four saves.
Wednesday's victory was the first non-shutout for the Lancers this season.
The Lancers will return to action on Sunday as their season-long, three-match road trip, concludes with a visit to San Luis Obispo and Cal Poly. The conference match is scheduled for a 3 p.m. kickoff and will be streamed on ESPN+.
CBU returns to Riverside and the CBU Soccer Stadium on October 7 to host No. 21 Oregon State. That match will be televised on ESPNU.
The Lancers now sit 7-2-0 (1-0-0 Pac-12) and are the owners of three points in the conference standings.
"We got a little sloppy at the end, but ultimately we are really pleased with the performance tonight," said head coach Coe Michaelson. "We can feel the momentum building as we inch closer to getting most of our guys healthy and back on the field. We know there isn't an easy game in the conference, so this was a great way to start."
Goals came in bunches in the first half, as CBU set a new season-high in scoring just 37 minutes into action. Blake D'Agostino, the conference's leading goalscorer, was first to find the back of the net when he beat Gonzaga goalkeeper Chema Preciado with a right-footed strike towards the far post.
The flick ➡️ The goal ➡️ The lead#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/LIUDKY5ON2
— California Baptist Men's Soccer (@CBUmsoccer) October 1, 2026
D'Agostino's goal was set up via a flick from Drew Hardin. Hardin assumes the team lead in assists with three.
CBU's second strike came in the 29th minute. Freshman Adam Marsli drove a low free kick into the penalty area, and the ball skipped through traffic before sneaking inside the far post. The goal was the first of Marsli's collegiate career.
From that point on, the CBU offense was all Justin Ojo.
Ojo netted his first goal of the day in the 37th minute when D'Agostino set up the freshman on a run into the penalty area. Ojo sent a strike into the back of the net, extending the Lancers' lead to three. Ojo then scored his second of the half when Uly Martinez set up Ojo for a curling attempt on frame that snuck under the crossbar.
It's a first half brace for Justin Ojo 🤯#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/oaabn0Btvj
— California Baptist Men's Soccer (@CBUmsoccer) October 1, 2026
The first-half brace was not enough as Ojo then claimed his first collegiate hat trick early in the second half. Stavros Charalampous played a long ball into the Lancers' attacking third, setting up Ojo to make a run and score once again. Initially, Ojo was signaled to be offside, but after video review, it was ruled Ojo was in fact onside, giving CBU a 5-0 lead.
Ojo's hat trick was only the third of CBU's Division I era.
"I was very happy to see Justin have such a good game," added Michaelson. "He's extremely gifted; if he just keeps his feet on the ground, focused on growing and improving, the sky is the limit for him."
Gonzaga did not go down in its Pac-12 debut without a fight, as the Bulldogs netted a pair of goals in the second half. The first came on a penalty attempt in the 74th minute. The Bulldogs added their second with 90 seconds remaining.
Goalkeeper Ulrik Stroem, who came into Wednesday with five consecutive shutouts, finished with four saves.
Wednesday's victory was the first non-shutout for the Lancers this season.
The Lancers will return to action on Sunday as their season-long, three-match road trip, concludes with a visit to San Luis Obispo and Cal Poly. The conference match is scheduled for a 3 p.m. kickoff and will be streamed on ESPN+.
CBU returns to Riverside and the CBU Soccer Stadium on October 7 to host No. 21 Oregon State. That match will be televised on ESPNU.
Players Mentioned
MF
/ Men's Soccer
S
/ Men's Soccer
MF
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
GK
/ Men's SoccerTeam Stats
CBU
GON
Goals
5
2
Shots
17
12
Shots on Goal
10
6
Saves
4
5
Corners
11
7
Fouls
13
10
Scoring Plays
Blake D'Agostino (6)
Assisted By: Drew Hardin
GOAL by CBU D'Agostino, Blake Assist by Hardin, Drew.
14:01
Adam Marsli (1)
GOAL by CBU Marsli, Adam.
28:02
Justin Ojo (4)
Assisted By: Blake D'Agostino
GOAL by CBU Ojo, Justin Assist by D'Agostino, Blake.
36:42
Justin Ojo (4)
Assisted By: Uly Martinez
GOAL by CBU Ojo, Justin Assist by Martinez, Uly.
43:03
Justin Ojo (4)
Assisted By: Stavros Charalampous
GOAL by CBU Ojo, Justin Assist by Charalampous, Stavros.
55:48
Drew Pedersen (4)
GON Drew Pedersen PENALTY KICK GOAL.
73:09
Drew Pedersen (4)
Assisted By: Nicolas Golesis , Damoni McKenna
GOAL by GON Pedersen, Drew Assist by Golesis, Nicolas and McKenna, Damoni.
88:31
Game Leaders
fwd
Shots
4
SOG
4
Goals
3
Assists
0
Shots
4
SOG
3
Goals
1
Assists
1
def
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
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