California Baptist University
Golden West College
GOLD STRUCK
9/30/2010 12:52:00 AM | Men's Water Polo
RIVERSIDE, Calif. --- Aaron Steiger's seven goals weren't enough as No. 15 California Baptist University lost to Golden West College 12-9 at the Lancers Aquatic Center.
CBU (13-3) opened up the game on fire, with Steiger, the national leader in goals, scoring five in the first, while Austen Ramer notched six saves. After eight minutes the match seemed to be well in hand for the Lancers, however the Rustlers defense tightened up to shut out the CBU in the second.
Meanwhile the Lancer defense let up, allowing Golden West (8-1) to go on a 5-0 run, good for a one-goal lead heading into halftime.
Early in the third quarter, Steiger (CBU's only scorer in the first half) scored his sixth goal to knot the game at 6-6. Help then came, as Chris Toy scored to take a 7-6 lead.
But Golden West fought to retake the lead with two goals late in the third.
The final quarter opened strong for the Lancers with Brent Troutman winning the sprint and Alan Ogden tying the game at 8-8.
Matt Verner's third goal earned the Rustler's a brief 9-8 lead before Steiger's seventh goal (60th on the season,) once again tied the seesaw affair.
Unfortunately, that would be the final goal for the Lancers as missed opportunities plagued them in the fourth. Golden West went on a 3-0 run to end the game and tied the all-time series between the schools at 3-3.
Golden West, the two-time reigning California State water polo champion, has won their conference title every season since 1989.
"We have a history of trading wins with them," said Rowland. "They have a good program. If they were NCAA they'd be ranked in the top-20."
CBU once again struggled to take advantage of its 6-on-5s, scoring only four times in 12 tries.
"We had a lot of missed shot attempts," said Rowland. "It seemed like every time we missed they went down and scored."
The Lancers will have a long time to think about this one as they won't play again until Oct. 7, when they host Iona.
"We need it. We seem a bit burnt out right now," said Rowland.
CBU will have a shot at revenge on Oct. 16 when they will face the Rustlers at the Concordia Tournament.
