TORRANCE, Calif. – Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (11-6-1, 8-3 Cal Pac) got things started at the 2018 California Pacific Conference Men's Soccer Championships by playing in a grueling 1-0 match that ended with the Eagles on top of rival Benedictine-Mesa (9-7, 8-3) thanks to a second half Jacob Baker (SO/Graham, Wash.) goal.

It was a true toss up in the first half as both teams came out swinging trying to draw a knockout blow early. Each team would put up six shots but none of which would find the back of the net. Alastair Stark (JR/Sevenoaks, England) got the start in net for the Eagles and didn't disappoint making all four saves required of him to get the shutout.

In typical Eagles fashion they played stout defense all 90 minutes and ultimately only gave up 8 shots throughout the whole match. Baker would get ERAU on the board just 6 minutes into the second half on a ball played from Marc Birkvald (JR/Saeby, Vestsjaelland, Denmark) that Baker wouldn't miss. Riddle would shut down the tough Redhawks offense for the next 40 minutes and would come out with a victory in the quarterfinal.

It's not over yet however as the Eagles must now take on the #1 seeded UC Merced (13-3-2, 10-0-1 Cal Pac) in the semifinals tomorrow (11/8) at 12:00 p.m. MST.