SPOKANE, Wash. – The Gonzaga Bulldogs could not recover from a sluggish first half Friday night at home against California Baptist, falling 5-2.
The Lancers scored in the 22nd and 24th minute, before forcing a handball in the box, and pulling ahead 3-0 by halftime. In the 53rd minute Demitrius Kigeya got loose in the box and was fouled, and Quinn Liebmann scored his first career goal on the penalty kick. Seven minutes later Kigeya received the perfect pass from Frankie Ljucovic that slipped past the keeper, and Kigeya beat the last defender for his second of the season. CBU responded less than a minute later in what would put the game out of reach. They added one more in the final minute of the match.
The Zags had a couple chances one on one versus the CBU keeper prior to the Lancer's first goal, but could not quite capitalize. CBU led in shots, 16-10, but just 7-4 in shots on goal.
"This team knows what it does well and we discussed what we planned to do pregame tonight," Gonzaga head coach Paul Meehan said. "Unfortunately we went out and did something 180 degrees of that, but people who have seen us know that was an anomaly. We will be back to ourselves on Monday night."
The Zags will be back on Monday night at 7 pm hosting No. 3 Washington. The Bulldogs will honor longtime head coach Einar Thorarinsson, who retired after 23 seasons last November, before Monday's match at 6:45 pm.
