RIVERSIDE, Calif. - California Baptist scored all three goals in the second half to stun the Point Loma men's soccer team, 3-0, in the PacWest opener for both squads. (Sept. 22)
 
Aidan Apodaca had two of the three goals for the Lancers. He got them started in the 54th minute with a goal on an assist from Kyle Pizano. Pizano added a free kick goal in the 67th minute from 35 yards out to put CBU up 2-0, and Apodaca sealed the match with his second score at the 83rd minute.
 
"Their first goal was created off a throw-in and we were pretty naïve on it and just conceded the goal," Point Loma head coach Phil Wolf explained. "We have to do a better job on those. We gave up two goals on two silly things."  
 
The match was scoreless at halftime, but it was not even, as PLNU played a better first 45 minutes. The Sea Lions had four more corner kicks (5-1) and all three of their shots were on goal. However, PLNU was just not able to find the net. All three of their shots were saved (one by a defender) and the Sea Lions settled with the 0-0 halftime score.
 
"I think we were the better team in the first half," said coach Wolf. "We didn't create a ton of quality chances but we did have quite a few good moments that we didn't take advantage of, and in the end of the day that ended up costing us."  
 
CBU finally broke through with the first goal of the match in the second half and all momentum went to their side. They ended the contest outshooting PLNU 11-6, including 4-3 on shots on goal. The Lancers goalie, Noah Oyler, also had two saves compared to one for Point Loma's Michael Lambert.
 
"California Baptist is going to be one of the best teams in this league, so you know going on the road against them it is going to be a really tough match, but this a really disappointing result and really tough loss to take after a good performance in the non-conference portion of our schedule."
 
The Sea Lions will look to bounce back on Saturday, Sept. 24 when they host 2015 PacWest runner-up, Dixie State (2-3, 0-0 PacWest), at 11:30 a.m.
 
"We are going to have to come home and figure out a way to get a result," Wolf added. "We have very little margin for error at this point."