California Baptist University secured a postseason berth in the Big West Tournament as the No. 4 seed following a 3-3 draw against Cal State Fullerton on October 31, 2026, in Fullerton, California. The match marked the conclusion of the regular season for both teams, with CBU finishing 9-3-5 overall and 4-3-4 in conference play during its inaugural Big West season. Cal State Fullerton earned the No. 3 seed with a 10-3-6 overall record and 7-1-3 in conference.
The game opened with Cal State Fullerton scoring just 2 minutes and 40 seconds into the match. Graduate goalkeeper Mikayla O’Brien made five first-half saves to limit further scoring, but CBU trailed 1-0 at halftime.
In the second half, junior forward Nikki Mau tied the game with an unassisted goal in the 55th minute. Senior Anja Jestrovic then scored a free kick from outside the box in the 69th minute, giving the Lancers their first lead. Fullerton responded with a penalty kick goal in the 73rd minute, but Jestrovic quickly answered with another unassisted strike from distance in the 77th minute. The Titans equalized in the 85th minute, resulting in the final 3-3 score.
CBU finished with seven shots, including six on target, while O’Brien recorded seven saves in the full match. The Lancers will host No. 5 seed Cal Poly at CBU Soccer Stadium on November 4 at 7 p.m. in the first round of the Big West Tournament. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+.
CSB Take
California Baptist University securing a postseason berth in its first Big West Conference season reflects the program’s swift growth and competitive resilience. Senior Anja Jestrovic’s two critical goals, including a free kick and a long-range strike, highlight her importance to the team’s offensive success. Hosting Cal Poly in the upcoming tournament game offers the Lancers a significant home advantage and a chance to further establish their presence within the conference. This postseason appearance could be a foundation for CBU’s emerging legacy in Big West women’s soccer.
Source: Original report
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