FIRST TO 30

Saturday, November 6

Riverside

3 p.m.

California Baptist University

Concordia

11/7/2010 12:50:00 AM | Men's Water Polo

RIVERSIDE, Calif. --- An unusually warm November day got a little hotter in the Lancer Aquatic Center, as No. 16 California Baptist University and Concordia were burning up the nets combining for 26 goals.

The Lancers prevailed in the slugfest, taking a 15-11 victory in the last regular season game of the year. The victory gave CBU its first 30-win season in program history as the Lancers improved to 30-5 on the year. Concordia falls to 12-13 on the season, but still has hopes to make it into the top-20 after upsetting No. 19 Air Force earlier in the day.

“We had a great atmosphere out there today,” said Head Coach Rick Rowland. “The fans were really into it, and both teams came out firing. It was an exciting game and I'm glad we came out on top.”

Jeremy Atkinson had probably the best game of his career for CBU, leading the Lancers with three key goals.

Concordia jumped out to an early 5-3 lead after the first quarter, but the Lancers would outscore the Eagles 4-2 in each quarter the rest of the way.

Atkinson's second goal brought CBU to within one in the second quarter. Concordia would bookend an Alan Ogden goal with two of their own to regain a two-goal advantage. Trevor Rowland and Evan Vardayou then scored back-to-back goals to pull the Lancers even.

CBU scored three straight goals to open up the third quarter with Atkinson putting the finishing touches on the run with his third goal of the day.

Concordia again made it close in the fourth drawing to within one at 11-10. The Lancers outscored the visiting Eagles 4-1 the rest of the way to seal the victory.

“It was the day of the lefty,” said Rowland, referring to Atkinson, Vardayou and Trevor Rowland. “We have been trying to get those guys to shoot more and today they did a great job. Our entire lineup did a great job today. We got goals from nine different guys. As a coach you love to see that.”

The Lancers held the advantage in 6-on-5 opportunities, something that had plagued CBU in its five losses this year. CBU converted four of its seven man-up chances. The Eagles scored on three of their five 6-on-5 opportunities.