SPOKANE, WA — California Baptist University men’s soccer team defeated Gonzaga University 5-2 in its first-ever Pac-12 Conference match on September 30, 2026. Freshman forward Justin Ojo scored a hat trick, becoming the third CBU athlete in the Division I era to accomplish the feat.
Blake D’Agostino, the conference’s leading scorer, opened the scoring with a goal assisted by Drew Hardin, who leads the team with three assists. Adam Marsli scored his first collegiate goal in the 29th minute with a low free kick.
Ojo scored the Lancers’ third goal in the 37th minute, assisted by D’Agostino, and added a second just before halftime on a setup from Uly Martinez. Early in the second half, after a video review overturned an initial offside call, Ojo completed his hat trick with a goal assisted by Stavros Charalampous, pushing the lead to 5-0.
Gonzaga’s Drew Pedersen scored twice in the second half, including a penalty kick in the 74th minute, as the Bulldogs avoided a shutout. CBU goalkeeper Ulrik Stroem recorded four saves, ending a streak of five consecutive shutouts.
Head coach Coe Michaelson praised Ojo’s performance and noted the team’s momentum as more players return to health. With this win, California Baptist improved to 7-2-0 overall and leads the Pac-12 with a 1-0-0 conference record.
The Lancers will continue their road trip at Cal Poly on October 4, 2026, with a 3 p.m. kickoff streamed on ESPN+, before returning home to host No. 21 Oregon State on October 7, televised on ESPNU.
CSB Take
California Baptist University’s convincing victory in its first Pac-12 conference match signals the program’s significant progress within a challenging league. Justin Ojo’s hat trick as a freshman highlights the team’s emerging offensive capabilities and depth. As the Lancers continue their season, sustaining player health and building on this momentum will be vital for continued success in conference play.
Source: Original report
