Simon Fraser University head coach Clint Schneider still looking for his first career win.
The Clan outshot California Baptist 20-3 but had to settle for a draw after the game was called due to lightning near Interbay Stadium on Saturday, resulting in a 1-1 tie with 17:17 still left on the clock.
SFU is now 0-1-1 on the young season.
After a disappointing 3-1 loss two days earlier to Sonoma State, the Clan was in full attack mode for most of the match. SFU fired 13 shots at Lancers goalie Noah Oyler in the first half, forcing him to make five saves.
The Clan opened with back-to-back shots on goal but Lancers forward Daniel Westholm scored on a counter attack before the game was five minutes old, firing off a shot into the top left corner of the net from just inside the 18-yard box.
The Clan scored just two minutes later off a free kick 25 yards out. Kyle Jones slotted a low shot through traffic that found the back of the net past Oyler.
The Clan kept coming, trying to grab a go-ahead goal, but Oyler held off the attempts. The sophomore goalkeeper finished the game with six saves, five of which came in the first half.
"The stats say it all,” said Schneider. “We made positive steps in the right direction and the boys responded from our loss against Sonoma State with better energy, dynamic passing, and well-organized football.”
“We hit the post twice in the game and were very unlucky not to come away with the win,” he added.
Coming out of halftime tied at 1-1, the Clan had a 7-1 advantage in shot attempts in the second half before lightning struck. The blasts kept coming, forcing the game to be called with the score tied still tied and nearly 18 minutes left to play. Enough of the game was played, however, for the result to count.
“The boys are disappointed they haven’t been rewarded for their efforts but we are not discouraged,” said Schneider. “We proved today that we have a special squad and now it’s a matter of finishing our chances and eliminating mistakes.”
SFU’s plays its home opener against California State University San Bernardino Wednesday, Sept. 9 on Terry Fox Field at SFU. Game time is 7 p.m. The day marks the start of the university’s 50th anniversary celebrations that will feature fireworks following the Clan’s match around 8:45 p.m. Fans are encouraged to leave plenty of time to find parking.
