Box Score

Photo Gallery (images by Kier LaCrosse & Tony Gallegos)

Riverside, CA -- Kicking off Pacific West Conference play against Cal Baptist on Saturday afternoon, the Academy of Art University men's soccer team fell 3-0 to the Lancers. CBU scored in the 24th minute and then again shortly before halftime, giving them an edge early. The Urban Knights had opportunities in the opening half, but strong defense in the second period allowed just two shots on goal from the teams combined.

“Cal Baptist is a really good team and our guys played hard, but it's tough on the road,” Head Coach Daniel Rosaia said. “Our defense played well though and I thought Patrick Heinemann and Vilmundur Sveinsson were each particularly good. We also brought in a couple of our new guys, freshmen Eric Bui and Dalton Gullo, and they responded well.”

Combining for seven shots in the first 15 minutes, both teams were looking to find that quick score. However, several of those chances were blocked including one from freshman forward Dalton Gullo in the 13th minute. Just as the clock showed 24 minutes had passed, the Lancers struck. CBU's Tyler Garrison created the opportunity for Michael Salazar who played the ball to the left and scored.

The squads would mix up their combinations on the field following the goal and freshman forward Jonmundur Gretarsson had another chance in the 40th minute, but his shot sailed wide. As the opening half neared its conclusion, Cal Baptist's Marc Hope found the back of the net after Jonathan Garcia crossed a ball from the right to set it up in the 44th minute.

CBU kept the pressure on to open the second period with a series of shots which eventually culminated in their third goal of the afternoon and the second by Salazar. In the 63rd minute, another cross from the right by Garcia was successful in giving the Lancers a 3-0 advantage. From there, Academy of Art sophomore forward Aron Ekberg had an opportunity shortly before the final buzzer, but the victory would go to Cal Baptist.

Coming off the bench, Ekberg offered a pair of shots with one on frame. Gullo and Gretarsson also each had a shot apiece in the match. Freshman goalkeeper Jacob Baumann played a full 90 minutes and posted one save. ART U is now 1-4 overall, 0-1 in PacWest play.

The Lancers offense came primarily from Salazar in this match as the CBU forward had two goals along with six total shots. Hope added a goal as well while Garcia notched a pair of assists off the bench. Garrison recorded an assist as well. Goalkeeper Joey Pacheo earned the shutout with one save in 90 minutes of action. CBU moves to 4-1 overall and 1-0 in conference.

“It was a tough environment to play in there at Cal Baptist, but we will regroup and work hard for the next match,” Coach Rosaia said.

Academy of Art will return home for a PacWest Conference contest against Hawaii Pacific. The teams are scheduled to begin at 3:00 PM on Tuesday, Sept. 20 at Boxer Stadium following the women's match.