Inconsistent Execution
LOS ANGELES, Calif. --- California Baptist University opened the season with two tough losses against No. 5 UC Santa
Barbara and No. 2 UCLA at the UCLA Invitational on Saturday.
The Lancers played UCSB close through two quarters, entering
halftime down 5-2. After getting outscored 8-4 in the second half CBU fell
13-6.
"We played a competitive first game," said head coach Rick Rowland. "We drew a lot of ejections against a top team in nation."
CBU was able to draw eight ejections from the Gauchos, the
issue that the Lancers faced was converting those 6-on-5 chances into goals. They
were only able to score on one of their eight chances.
"Our big problem today was the 6-on-5," said Rowland. "If we
can score on around 50 percent of our 6-on-5 chances, we can keep the scores
closer."
Scott Gleason led the Lancers with two goals against UCSB,
Chris Vanjoff, Eric Carnohan, Matt Puig and David Ring picked up one goal each.
This was Ring's first game as a Lancer, and first goal
scored. Austen Ramer ended with nine saves, making his career total 864.
Vanjoff added three assists to his goal scored and was the CBU MVP of the first
game.
In the second game of the day, CBU lost 15-7 to No. 2, and
tournament host, UCLA.
The Bruins led 8-3 after one quarter, but CBU played them
close in the second quarter keeping the score at 10-5.
"We had a rough first quarter against UCLA, but after that
we were able to keep it pretty even the rest of the way," said Rowland.
The execution of their 6-on-5 chances was an issue again in
this game, as the Lancers only scored twice in 12 opportunities.
Gleason led the Lancers in scoring in the second game,
putting up two goals. Puig added two of his own, as did Keith Jizmejian.
Cameron Custance scored one goal.
"Gleason was our most consistent player today," said
Rowland. "He scored four goals over two games and drew seven of our 20
ejections."
Ramer picked up 12 saves in the UCLA game, pushing his
career total to 876. Jizmejian's two goals, one assist and one steal made him
the CBU MVP of the second game.
"Jizmejian did a lot of good things in that game," said
Rowland. "He has been out with shoulder problems, so this was a good comeback
game for him."
The Lancers will work on improving their 6-on-5 offense over
the next week as they prepare to take on No. 1, and four-time defending
champion, USC in Los Angeles on Sept. 8 at 12 p.m.
