California Baptist University
Hope International University (Calif.)
CRACKER JACKED
10/2/2007 7:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Box Score
RIVERSIDE, Calif. --- Lizzy Bendrick's right foot came to play today.
Bendrick ripped a pair of goals, a cracker late in the first half and another late in the second half to lift California Baptist to a 2-1 GSAC win over Hope International Tuesday afternoon in Riverside.
The win is the Lancers' fourth in a row as they improve to 8-2-0 overall, 3-0-0 (9 points) GSAC and maintain no worse than a first place tie with the NAIA's No. 2-ranked Azusa Pacific. The Lancers travel to Azusa Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Royals, who snapped a 48-game winless streak in GSAC play earlier this year, drop their third straight and fall to 7-4-1, 1-3-0 (3 points). Their seven wins are already a school-record.
It is also the Lancers' fourth straight game with at least two goals.
Right from the gate, the Lancers introduced themselves to HIU keeper Rebecca Dixon, firing off three shots at Dixon in the first three minutes, but she saved all of them. In fact, CBU out-shot the Royals, 9-2, in the first 45 but were only able to score once.
In the 41st minute, Bendrick took matters into her own hands, or feet, when she collected a ball 40 yards away from the goal. With her back to the goal, Bendrick took a quick turn over her left shoulder, took one touch and then hit a cracker over Dixon's outstretched arms and into the net.
Down a goal, the Royals began to throw numbers forward looking for the equalizer. They nearly got it in the 74th minute but Kelly Galligan hit the crossbar.
Five minutes after that, Bendrick did it again. This time in the 79th minute, Arianna Triassi played Bendrick the ball in the middle of the field. Again, Bendrick had her back to the goal, turned over left shoulder, took a touch and then hammered the ball past Dixon and inside the far post netting to give the Lancers a 2-0 lead.
The Royals, pushing everyone forward after that, finally broke through. In the 89th minute, a ball was played over the top of the Lancer defense. Harmony Pruett ran onto the ball and danger seemed to be averted when a CBU defender and keeper Ashley Aranda, who was inserted into the game in the 69th minute, arrived on scene. However, the ball snuck past both and Pruett was able to easily slot the ball into the open net to cut the deficit in half. It was too little too late, though, as the Lancers ran out the final minute.
Emily Evanson started in goal and made three saves in 69 minutes before being lifted for Aranda. The Lancers out-shot the Royals, 15-7, including 9-4 on goal.
