RIVERSIDE, Calif. -- The Sonoma State men's soccer team opened a two-game road set in Southern California Thursday afternoon, but lost a narrow 2-1 contest to host California Baptist.

"Cal Baptist is a very good team and they jumped on us right off the first whistle," said SSU head men's soccer coach Marcus Ziemer. "It took us a bit to gather ourselves, but we did."

The Lancers attacked first in the 14th minute when Luca Tschaidse scored on a penalty kick. In the 78th minute, the Lancers would add to their lead when Aidan Apodaca would score with an assist from Junior Guerra. It was Apodaca's 4th goal of the season.

Trailing 2-0 zero, SSU had a chance to make a comeback in 81st minute off a penalty kick. Following a red card on James Bogdanovich for making contact with the ball with his hand, the Seawolves had a penalty kick opportunity.  Gabriel D'Ambrosio's shot was saved by CBU keeper Noah Owen, who had four saves on the night. 

"CBU's second goal was against the run of play, but we never quit," Ziemer explained. "We missed a penalty kick which would have made it 2-1, but even after that we kept our heads up and battled and got a goal at the end of the game."

With five seconds left in regulation, SSU's Ryan Rohane buried a header from five feet out, but it was too little too late. It was Rohane's first goal of the season, and even with the late goal, it was not enough as the Seawolves fell to 0-1-2 to open the 2016 season.

Sonoma outshot Cal Baptist 13-12 with six shots on goal. D'Ambrosio led the Seawolves with four shots, two on goal shots. Both teams had four saves

Mitch north made a couple of great saves early to keep the game from getting away from us," Ziemer remarked.  "We are playing well, but aren't finishing our chances or getting the breaks. I'm confident that we will turn it around."

"We need to keep positive and bounce back on Thursday against Azusa Pacific.  Guys came off the bench and provided a spark today."

Sonoma State has one more road game on Saturday at Azusa Pacific at 7:30 pm before returning home on September 16th when it hosts Cal Poly Pomona. Kickoff is set for 3 pm.