California Baptist University
Dixie State
Up A Storm
11/8/2013 1:48:00 AM | Women's Soccer
RIVERSIDE, Calif. --- In its final PacWest matchup of the 2013 campaign, California Baptist University showed why it's the conference's top scoring team. Four different Lancers scored to lift CBU over visiting Dixie State, 4-1, on Thursday afternoon.
CBU ends conference with a 10-2 record, sitting 11-5 overall, while Dixie State drops to 7-6-2 on the season, 7-4-1 in the PacWest.
"I thought we did a better job winning the ball and establishing our rhythm and flow today," said head coach Kristen St. Clair. "The girls' preparation has been good all week and I thought it was a good team performance and another positive step forward for us."
St. Clair has been getting her squad to focus on starting well in the first 10 minutes of action all season and the Lancers have stepped up to the plate. CBU fired off six shots in the first 10 minutes—including one that hit the crossbar and another saved off the line--before finally breaking through the Red Storm's wall in the 11th. Dixie State's defense couldn't get a good clear on the ball, sending a rolling ball to Rachel Witz from 20 yards out. Rachel Witz redirected the clearance back on frame, keeping the shot low to find the back of the net.
In the 37th minute, Kailey Nishimura won a defensive battle near the half line and dribbled past two Red Storm defenders to put herself in scoring position at the top of the 18-yard box. Nishimura fired off her shot to the back post, breezing past an outstretched Stacie Gubler to put the Lancers up 2-0.
Coming out of the half, the Red Storm had new found energy and cut the lead in half just a minute into the second frame. Aarika Anderson collected a pass from Abby Jameson at the right corner of the box to finish through traffic and put the game within one, 2-1, with plenty of soccer left to be played.
"We needed to be a little sharper with our overall shape," said St. Clair. "The girls did a good job playing through the pressure and reshaping and reestablishing the rhythm and flow for us."
CBU shook off the goal and looked to take back control of the game. With just over 15 minutes left to play, Samantha Myers played a ball over the top, sending Bernadette Witz on a chase. Bernadette Witz beat her defender to the ball and cut the ball back to send in a cross. Kelly Jenks put her head on the end of the cross, sending it past Gubler for her 14th goal of the season.
"Bernie and Kelly work awfully hard on their chemistry," said St. Clair. "They're a dynamic duo. To have an attacking midfielder and a target forward that dynamic individually and collectively just creates so many dangerous opportunities for them, but also for us as a group. It also opens up opportunities for other dynamic attacking players. It's a great balance for us."
Still hungry for more, Tambrie Awai found the back of the net one last time for the Lancers in the 82nd minute. After Kitra Walters' shot was blocked, the Red Storm couldn't quite clear the ball from danger, allowing Awai to lob it over Gubler and under the crossbar for the Lancers' fourth goal of the game.
Both teams will face each other one last time on Saturday, just two days later, finishing up the final regular season. The Lancers will continue on to post-season action after securing the automatic qualifying spot for the NCAA Division II West Region Tournament from the PacWest last week.
"Dixie State is a good team," said St. Clair. "Today and Saturday are great preparations for NCAA for us. They're going to have to play through pressure and the girls have done a good job throughout the year so continuing to do that will be important for NCAAs. They'll have the same challenges as us, since we've each seen the other play once. There will be challenges to respond to any adjustments they make, but ultimately we have to focus on what we can control."
Saturday's non-conference contest will kick off at 12 p.m., with six seniors being honored prior to the match: Rosie Nakata, Katie Rumfola, Kitra Walters, Kristen Witchey, Bernadette Witz, and Kelly Jenks.
"I know the team wants to honor the seniors on Senior Day," said St. Clair. "The team will be ready and focused."
