LUBBOCK, Texas (November 9, 2021) – The Lubbock Christian University men's soccer team was hosting a postseason game for the first time since 2011 and they did not disappoint, dominating UT Permian Basin 6-0 in the Tuesday's Lone Star Conference Championship quarterfinal match.
 
The six goals by the Chaps (9-6-1) are their most in a single game since September 25, 2014 when they won 6-3 at UT Permian Basin. The last time they beat a team by six goals was October 26, 2013 when they topped McMurray 6-0 in Abilene.
 
Jacopo Ghezzi took the first LCU shot on goal in the 11^th minute, and just 30 seconds later the Chaps found the back of the net for the first time in the game. Juan Jose Valdez Lopez played a perfect ball through the back line to a streaking Luciano Rodriguez. With just the keeper to beat, Rodriguez took on touch to the right and snuck his shot just inside the right post.
 
It was his second-straight game with a goal and his fifth of the season, which briefly gave him the team lead. He now has 14 points on the season.
 
Just over 10 minutes later, Lubbock Christian doubled the lead. On a counterattack, three Chaps pressed forward with the ball eventually going out wide to Ghezzi. From just inside the 18-yard box, he took a shot on goal that was saved by the UTPB keeper, but the rebound went right to Pablo Galietero Diez, who flicked it into the back of the net. The goal by Diez was his fourth of the year and put him into double-digit points.
 
No more scoring came in the first half, leading the Falcons within striking distance when the second period began. Lubbock Christian made sure those chances did not last long and put the game out of reach in less than four minutes.
 
Tariq Bakkali started the second-half scoring barrage just 3:35 into the half. Rodriguez drove the ball across midfield and played it through UTPB's defense to Bakkali. He shot left by the keeper's ankles and scored just inside the post.
 
Less than 30 seconds later, LCU scored again, this time thanks to the efforts of Kevin Mejias. Still playing hard while up 3-0, Mejias applied pressure and stole the ball away from a UTPB defender on a lazy pass. He took one touch forward before firing on frame, easily shooting past the keeper, who was out of position to make any attempt at a save.
 
The final two goals of the game came from the same two players, as Bakkali and Mejias both recorded their second braces of the season.
 
Bakkali's second goal came in the 58^th minute. A strong header from Ivan Muanze-Bengono on the back line sent the ball forward to Hector Rodriguez-Cabo, who flicked it ahead to Bakkali racing ahead. The UTPB keeper tried to come to the front of the box to meet Bakkali, but Bakkali chipped it over the top of him. This is the fourth multi-goal game of Bakkali's LCU career and is second in less than a week, after he scored twice on Nov. 3 against DBU. He is now the team-leader in goals with six.
 
It was Muanze-Bengono again who created the final scoring play of the night, this time by pushing forward well into the offensive half of the field. A give-and-go with Diez got Muanze-Bengono the ball back near the end line, and he sent it into the box. The cross deflected off UTPB's goalkeeper, but right to Mejias, who scored easily. His other multi-goal game this season came on Oct. 23 at UT Tyler.
 
Possibly lost in all the offensive fireworks on the night was LCU's eighth shutout of the season, which ties the program record for a single season. They have previously also had eight shutouts in 2013 and 2011. The Falcons took 11 shots in the game, two of which were on goal. Braxton Thorne saved them both for his eighth clean sheet.
 
Lubbock Christian will now advance to the LSC Championship Semifinal against the No. 2-seed West Texas A&M. The match will be hosted at top seed Midwestern State, kicking off at 5 p.m. on Friday night.