California Baptist University
Iona College
Lancers Take Two
10/4/2012 11:21:00 PM | Men's Water Polo
RIVERSIDE, Calif. --- California Baptist University men's water polo dominated the Lancer Aquatic Center on Oct. 4, sweeping a doubleheader against Iona and Fordham.
CBU's offense exploded for 13 goals in the first game, which was never in doubt as the Lancers led 5-2 at the end of the first half, then they outscored Iona 8-4 in the second half for a final score of 13-6.
"Our transition game went into overdrive today," said head coach Rick Rowland. "Our guys did a great job of getting up and down the pool."
Scott Butler and Eric Carnohan each had three goals, leading all scorers. Chris Vanjoff and Cameron Custance each had two, and Scott Gleason scored one, he has scored in all 14 games this year.
Austen Ramer's 14 saves against Iona bring him within 70 saves of eclipsing assistant coach Jon Miller's career saves record.
The Lancers were only able to convert one out of five 6-on-5 opportunities in the first game, but that did not hold them back today.
"We used our speed all over the place," said Rowland. "The guys have really bought in to our new transition offense."
In game two, the Lancers again put up some crooked numbers on scoreboard as they defeated Fordham 20-7.
CBU once again relied on its strong frontcourt defense and transition offense to put up their 20 goals.
"When you play strong defense, you really position yourself well for offense," said Rowland. "We definitely positioned ourselves well today."
The Lancers got goals from 11 different players in the second game, and seven of them scored multiple goals.
Gleason played a strong game for CBU, picking up two goals, three assists, three drawn ejections and a drawn penalty.
Matt Puig put three goals in the cage in game two, improving his season total to 24, third most on the team.
"We got some really nice play out of the two-meter today," said Rowland. "Matt Puig came up really big."
In addition to strong play from the starters, the Lancers got some great play from the other players, namely William Walling, David Rodriguez and Tyler Anthony.
Dylan Vrooman came in to relieve Ramer in the fourth quarter and picked up three assists, helping the Lancers to outscore the Rams 8-3 in that quarter.
Puig and Keith Jizmejian led the Lancers with three goals against Fordham. Butler, Gleason, Rodriguez and Walling all tacked on two.
The Lancers have now won eight straight games, and will play four more this weekend at the Gary Troyer tournament Oct.5-6.
The major matchups of this tournament will be a 2:00 p.m. game with Pomona-Pitzer on Friday and a 7:20 p.m. matchup with No. 10 Long Beach State on Saturday.
"Pomona-Pitzer is not a top-20 team, but they have been playing like one lately," said Rowland. "Long Beach State was a big pickup, that will be a tough game."
