ALAMOSA, Colo. (September 4, 2021) – Lubbock Christian University's men's soccer team got into the win column for the first time in the 2021 season on Saturday, taking down Adams State 3-0 behind a multi-goal performance from Luciano Rodriguez.
 
It was the first road win and the first shutout for the Chaparrals since March 16, 2021 when they beat Texas A&M-International 1-0 in Laredo.
 
The scoring started early for LCU, as they took the lead in the 10^th minute on a goal from Tariq Bakkali. After a long pass from Juan Jose Valdez Lopez was controlled by an Adams State defender, he passed back to his keeper. Forward Fernando Flores stole the ball from the Grizzly goalie and passed on to Bakkali, who scored easily on the open net.
 
Bakkali has now scored 13 goals in his 45 games with Lubbock Christian and has 30 career points.
 
The next 30 minutes did not feature much in the way of offensive action, although Jacopo Ghezzi did have a shot saved by an ASU defender and Flores missed a shot wide left. The Grizzlies had their first offensive chance in the 34^th minute, but the shot on goal was saved by Braxton Thorne.
 
Just three minutes later, Thorne picked an Adams State cross out of the air and was key to starting the next LCU goal-scoring effort. After catching the cross, he quickly threw the ball down field to the speedy Flores, who beat one defender before flicking the ball toward the back post. There, Rodriguez came crashing in, sending the ball into the back of the net.
 
Flores only had one two-assist game previously in his LCU career, helping on two goals in the Oct. 10, 2019 matchup against UT Tyler. He now has 11 career assists and 45 points as a Chaparral
 
After the halftime break, Lubbock Christian's defense really locked in, allowing just two shots – neither of which were on goal. For the entire game, Thorne was forced to make just the one save.
 
The third and final Chaparral goal came ten minutes into the second half, again thanks to Rodriguez. A through ball was played to the Uruguay native that had him out in front with just the keeper to beat. ASU's goalkeeper did stop him but fouled him in the process. Rodriguez took the ensuing PK and converted in the 56^th minute.
 
Rodriguez is the first Lubbock Christian player with a multi-goal game since Flores scored twice on Feb. 27, 2021 against Oklahoma Christian.
 
LCU put three more shots on goal throughout the rest of the second half, but none found the back of the net. Hector Rodriguez-Cabo took two of them, including one that hit the right post, and Tomas Casas had one as well.
 
The Chaps will now return home for games at the LCU Soccer & Track Complex the next two weekends. The home opener is at 8 p.m. Sept. 10 against MSU-Denver.