California Baptist University
Iona College
SLOW START, QUICK FINISH
10/4/2007 7:00:00 AM | Men's Water Polo
RIVERSIDE, Calif. ? Despite a slow first half, California Baptist came out firing in the second half scoring eight of its 11 goals in the third and fourth quarters to beat Iona 11-4. The Lancers (16-8) struggled early to find the back of the net thanks to the Gaels' (6-9) Grant Keissling who recorded 10 saves, five of which came in the first quarter.
“We came out and played like we should have in the third and fourth quarters,” said CBU head coach Rick Rowland. “We continued to counter and put shots away. We got it done when it counted. These guys seem to step up when we need them to. I just wish I could see them play four consistent quarters.”
Jon Miller matched Keissling save-for-save as Miller notched 12 saves including a save on a penalty shot.
Chris Morgan scored the first goal for the Lancers less than a minute in, but that was the only goal in the first quarter as Iona tied the game at 1-1 with 3:44 left. Alan Ogden and Scott Gleason gave CBU a 3-1 lead before the Gales brought it to 3-2 at the half.
“We missed numerous shots in transition,” said Rowland. “We had two six-on-fives, two penalty throws and if we cash in on 50 percent of those we have a 5-2 game at the half. I rode the guys a bit at the half and we came out a little stronger.”
The Lancers lit the nets up in the second half. CBU scored the first four goals of the third quarter as Ryan Steiger, David Graves, Josh Harris and Aaron Steiger all netted goals as CBU held a 7-3 lead at the end of the third.
It was more of the same in the fourth as the Lancers opened the fourth like the third with four consecutive goals. Morgan, Harris, Ryan Steiger and Jason Bills all scored goals in the final quarter.
With the first goal that Ryan Steiger scored he set the school record for most consecutive games with a goal. So far Steiger has scored in 24 consecutive games.
CBU now heads to Fresno Pacific Friday to take on the Sunbirds at 6 p.m. before it travels to Stockton, Calif., for the University of Pacific Tournament
