California Baptist University
Point Loma
No Goal Patrol
10/19/2013 10:48:00 PM | Women's Soccer
SAN DIEGO, Calif. --- Ever since California Baptist University gave up a quick goal to Fresno Pacific back on Sept. 25, the Lancers have been on a scoring rampage and a shutout streak.
CBU picked up a 3-0 win at Point Loma Nazarene Saturday to improve to 8-4 overall, 7-1 in the PacWest. The loss drops the Sea Lions to 7-5-1 on the season and 6-2-1 in conference.
The Lancers have now outscored their opponents 22-0 in the past five games and extend their shutout streak to just over 535 minutes.
"I'm impressed with the work rate and composure we had today," said head coach Kristen St. Clair. "We've been striving to be the team to outwork our opponent and this was one of the best games we've played this year."
Both teams got shots off in the first 10 minutes, but it would be the Lancers who would capitalize first. Kelly Jenks scored her ninth goal of the season in the 22nd minute off a cross from Lindsay Vesling on the far side. Despite a defender getting a piece of the ball, it wasn't enough to derail the cross as Jenks collected the pass off her chest and volleyed it into the back of the net.
CBU kept the pressure on, tallying 11 shots in the first half, but only led 1-0 at the break. Determined to get more, Kitra Walters added an insurance goal just under a minute and a half into the second period. Vesling cut a cross back across the goal and Walters took a one-time shot, knocking it off a defender into the goal.
"Kitra did a fantastic job in the middle for us today," said St. Clair. "She controlled the ball well and won challenges in the air."
The Sea Lions looked to get a break in the 62nd minute as a penalty kick was awarded to the host school, however, due to encroachment on the offense, the goal was disallowed to keep CBU's net unscathed.
Bernadette Witz found the final goal for the Lancers in the 77th minute off a double assist from Jenks and Tambrie Awai. Witz raced to get a hold of a through pass and finished under pressure to the far post, giving CBU the 3-0 lead.
"All three goals were beautiful goals, just quality finishes," said St. Clair. "We excuted well today, even hit the post a few times, and controlled the game from beginning to end."
PLNU managed to get 11 shots in the second period, but the Sea Lions could not get past the defensive wall the Lancers put up. Goalkeeper Rosie Nakata made six saves--five in the second half alone--to keep the clean sheet.
"It's always good to get a shutout," said St. Clair. "It was a team effort since we defend top to bottom, but Rosie made some key saves late in the game. We're just trying to get better each game and continue to strive to be a more refined team on both sides of the ball."
CBU continues life on the road as the Lancers head north to take on Dominican on Thursday at 1 p.m.
