SAGEHENS, SHIPMEN SPLIT
CLAREMONT, Calif. --- No. 18 ranked California Baptist University
split a pair Saturday, defeating host Pomona-Pitzer 14-8 and falling to No. 15
Navy 10-11.
In the win, the Lancers' snapped a two-game losing streak,
led by four first half goals from sophomore Matt Puig. Puig added another goal
in the late game to bring his season total to 10 and was one of nine different
players to find the back of the net against the Sagehens.
"Puig had the game of the season for himself against
Pomona-Pitzer," Head Coach Rick Rowland said. "I think he showed that he has really
arrived as collegiate player at CBU today."
Playing the aggressor throughout the match, CBU recorded 17
steals on defense and held the Sagehens to just one successful 6-on-5
opportunity in 10 advantage stretches of play.
"Our 6-on-5 defense was very strong today," Rowland said.
"One of our goals before the game was to play really strong pressure defense
and get up the pool. We did that. Our other goals was to have a balanced
offense. We did that too. We had at least seven goals in transition."
In the nightcap, the Lancers matched Navy nearly goal for
goal with neither team having more than a one goal advantage at the end of each
quarter. Trailing 7-8 entering the final eight minutes, the Lancers scored on
three 6-on-5 opportunities to tie the game at 10 with 2:41 remaining. Navy
scored less than 20 seconds later for the games' final goal.
Senior Chris Toy recorded his second hat-trick of the season
against Navy, including one of the three fourth-quarter 6-on-5 goals. In the
earlier game, Toy was also high pointman with a +14 tally.
"Chris Toy had a heck of a day, all-around offensively and
defensively," Rowland said. "Goalkeeper Austen [Ramer] was stellar as usual."
Ramer recorded 21 saves and 10 steals on the day.
Junior Scott Butler, who contributed his first goal of the
season in the earlier game, also added another four goals and four steals against Navy.
With the split, the Lancers are now 4-3 and will take their
second road trip of the season next weekend. CBU travels next to Davis, Calif.
for the UC Davis Aggie Shootout, facing the host first at 6 p.m. on Friday,
Sept. 23. The Lancers will also meet Occidental and La Verne on Saturday.
