California Baptist University
BYU-Hawaii
Soggy And Successful
10/12/2012 2:42:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Heavy rain fell through most of the second half and the game was delayed 30 minutes because of lightning, but CBU made sure to get all the offense it needed in the first half and then survived a heavy attack in the final minutes.
"This was a great win against a very good team," said CBU Head Coach Kristen St. Clair. "It was a playoff type atmosphere out there and the girls came through, even playing through the adverse conditions of the mud and rain. Bernie's Goal was a tremendous effort as well."
The third in a barrage of shots from Bernadette Witz finally found the back of the net to give the Lancers their lone goal in the 34th minute.
Witz hit the post with a shot, then tried again on the ricochet only to have it blocked. She then corralled the rebound and scored her eighth goal of the season.
"I just kept kicking away, trying to get the ball in and finally got it through," said Witz, who is tied for the team lead in goals. "It wasn't the prettiest goal I've ever scored, but I knew we needed it today. It's not easy to score against a good team like that, especially in the rain."
BYU-Hawaii only managed four shots on the afternoon prior to the lightning delay, forcing CBU keeper Rosie Nakata to make just one save on the Seasiders' lone ball on target.
Out of the delay, however, the Seasiders made a push to even the contest, but Nakata made a save on a shot by Kassy Binning. With a new found sense of urgency BYU-Hawaii held the ball in the Lancers' half and fired again, but Sarah Bodily's shot went wide.
"To be able to come back after that delay, in the dark and close that game out was fantastic by the girls," said St. Clair. "Each line played great today and did their job. This was just a great team win."
The Lancers dominated play on the offensive end, taking 14 shots and putting five on target. Witz, who was seemingly all over the field, took seven of those shots and had two on goal, scoring the one.
The win moves the Lancers to 7-2-1 overall, 6-1 PacWest, the Seasiders fall to 6-3-1, 4-2-1.
CBU will be back in action Saturday as it hosts Academy of Art at 3:30 p.m. for another conference matchup.
