HELPING HINES
RIVERSIDE, Calif. --- After three close quarters No. 16 California Baptist University used a late rally, led by an unexpected Lancer, to down No. 19 Air Force 12-9.
The Lancers came into the match riding a four game winning streak, but failed to gain any breathing room through much of the game.
Even worse for CBU (29-5) was that its All-American candidate and national scoring leader,
Aaron Steiger, was on the bench in the final minutes due to ejections.
However,
Peter Hines (whose brother played at Air Force) came up huge in the fourth to help the Lancers edge the Falcons (11-14) at the Lancer Aquatic Center.
“Hines had a heck of a game,” said Head Coach
Rick Rowland of Hines who came into the match with just 15 goals. “Today he was on at 2-meters. He stepped up.”
The game opened with the teams trading the first four goals. But Air Force flew ahead with a brief two-goal lead in the second quarter.
Chris Toy's first of three goals brought CBU to within in one at 4-5, and Steiger's second of the day (his record 33rd multi-goal game of the season) tied up the game at the half.
The third was more of the same with each squad swapping goals throughout. But the Lancers got the last of the quarter, and headed to fourth with a slim 9-8 lead.
Despite the tight margin, confidence was high for CBU as they have outscored opponents 80-37 in the final quarter this season.
Just as it looked like the Lancers were going to have another dominating fourth, Steiger was given his third ejection of the match and the school's all-time scoring leader had to watch the rest of the game helplessly from the bench.
CBU responded like champions, thanks to clutch goalie play from
Austen Ramer, and Hines' two late goals.
“We made some good defensive adjustments in the fourth quarter,” said Rowland. “Playing without Steiger at the end I thought our guys kept their composure.”
The Lancers closed the fourth with a 3-1 run to give CBU its 29th win of the season (tie for school record).
The whistle was blowing all match as each team had eight 6-on-5 opportunities. The Falcons connected on six, while the Lancers scored four times.
“It was a six on five game; there were a lot of ejections,” said Rowland. “It was definitely physical.”
The Lancers have one more regular season game left on the docket before hosting the NAIA Invite to end the year. CBU will face Concordia at the Lancer Aquatic Center tomorrow.
“It's been a great season; it's been fun,” said Rowland.
If The Lancers can win one more game it will be the first time in CBU that they reached the 30-win mark.
