CHILD'S PLAY

Friday, September 25

Riverside

7:30 a.m.

California Baptist University

Mt. SAC

9/26/2009 2:15:00 AM | Men's Water Polo

RIVERSIDE, Calif. --- No. 19 California Baptist University swept through its first two games of the Lancer Invite Friday to move to 8-2 on the year. The Lancers defeated Mt. SAC, 12-4, and then put away Iona (N.Y.) 16-8.

The Lancers rolled through their first game despite the 7:30 a.m. start time, notching a commanding win over the Mounties. CBU scored early and often to take a quick 4-0 lead by the end of the first quarter. The Mounties made an effort to return the favor by not allowing a Lancer goal in the second quarter, but only managed to net one of their own. The Lancers took a 4-1 advantage into halftime.

The Mounties opened the third quarter with a goal, but the Lancers quickly shutdown the comeback bid, scoring three more goals over just a two-and-a-half minute span, to stretch their lead to 7-2. Then sophomore Chris Toy took over, recording a hat-trick in the first three minutes of the fourth quarter, shutting the door on Mt. SAC. The Lancers netted one more goal in the match and allowed the Mounties two more scores.

Toy led all scorers in the contest with four goals, three of them coming in the fourth quarter. Daniel Tayenaka also netted two goals for the Lancers. Austen Ramer recorded seven saves in the game and two steals.

“This was a good bench game,” said CBU head coach Rick Rowland. “We played every single player and got away with a win.”

Game two for CBU began much the same way as its first game, with the Lancers racking up three goals early to take a 3-0 lead after the first quarter. Iona scored first to begin the second quarter, but CBU answered quickly with a score of its own. Over the next 21 minutes the Lancers continued to stretch their lead, grabbing their second win of the day.

Aaron Steiger led the Lancers in the scoring column in game two with four goals. Norbert Karoly netted three goals for the Lancers, and Peter Hines, Chris Gwinn, and Toy each added two goals for CBU. Ramer posted 14 saves in the goal, and added two more steals to his season total. The Lancers also converted three of their four 6-on-5 goal opportunities.

“Austen was on fire defensively in the goal,” said Rowland, and he continued, “Steals was the big stat of the game for us, and forced turnovers.”

The Lancers will be in action again Saturday for day two of the Lancer Invite at the Lancer Aquatics Center. CBU's first game will be at 10:30 a.m. against Occidental, then the Lancers play again at 3 p.m. versus Chapman.