Scoring Oliver Goals

Thursday, October 16

Riverside

12:30 PM

California Baptist University

4-7-1, 3-3-0PacWest

Academy of Art

4-7-0, 2-3-0PacWest

Academy of Art

California Baptist

Paul Oliver scored all three of the Lancers' goals Thursday afternoon.

Photo by: Leigh Ann Lindsey

10/16/2014 5:46:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

By: Jake Zalesky, Sports Information Intern

RIVERSIDE, Calif. — To kick off a seven-game home stand on a positive note, California Baptist University dug deep to grab a come-from-behind 3-2 victory over Academy of Art Thursday afternoon.

CBU improves to a 4-7-1 record overall and 3-3-0 in the PacWest, while Academy of Art falls to 4-7-0 overall and 2-3-0 in conference.

After a slow start to the game, where the Lancers found themselves in a 1-0 hole, CBU began creating flurries of attacks late in the first half and were rewarded with a penalty kick in the 37th minute after Thomas Carter was fouled in the box. Senior defender Paul Oliver stepped up to the penalty spot and placed the ball into the upper right corner of the goal tying the game 1-1 before half time.

The second half started where the first left off as the Lancers found their groove and began to dominate the game. Ike Akubuilo and Dominic Escalera came on the pitch and began terrorizing the opposition with their skill and pace. Escalera continuously ran at the defenders driving crosses into the box and created multiple opportunities, one that saw Akubuilo's head at the end of a cross, narrowly missing the goal.

Daniel Westholm also created scoring chances for the Lancers, who were unfortunate to not add more goals to their tally.

"Daniel played well, especially in the second half," said head coach Gregg Schroeder. "He started to find spots in the offense and slip dangerous balls through. Unfortunately we didn't put finishes on the end of them."

The constant pressure paid off, however, as Oliver drove forward from the defense and scored his second goal of the game in the 83rd minute. Bryan Portillo set up the play, finding Oliver to send it into the far post from 20 yards out.

"Paul loves to go forward and get into the attack," said Schroeder. "He always comes back, but he's getting his timing down and can be very dangerous. That second goal, with him making a run from the back, sparked the team."

"Coach encourages me to come from the back and combine with guys up the field," added Oliver. "I love getting the chance to go forward and be part of the attack, knowing that that one of my teammates is going to drop back and cover for me."

Five minutes later, Aidan Apodaca drew another penalty kick as he was taken down in the box. Oliver stepped up to the penalty spot once again and collected his third goal of the day. The Urban Knights fought back to grab another goal after the clock hit the minute mark, but the Lancer defense—anchored by Oliver and Cobi Hunt—held off a late equalizer in the last seconds.

CBU will look to build on today's win as it hosts Dominican (Calif.) on Saturday at noon.

"It's a good start to our long home stretch," said Schroeder. "Now we need to carry that momentum forward."