California Baptist University
UCLA
Outlasted by the Bruins
4/14/2013 6:10:00 AM | Women's Water Polo
WESTWOOD, Calif. --- After the best opening quarter of water polo the team played all year long, California Baptist University could not find the cage in the second and third quarters, eventually losing to UCLA 12-7.
The Lancers stormed out of the gate, and they seemed primed to complete an upset against the No. 4 Bruins after pushing to a 5-2 lead through eight minutes.
“We played a great first quarter jumping,” said Head Coach Jacob Medina. “It was probably one of the best quarters of water polo we have played all year. Our women did a tremendous job throughout the game of playing hard and really trying to stick to our game plan.”
CBU seemed ready to stun everyone that was present at Spieker Aquatics Center on Saturday with their barrage of early-game goals.
Hannah Evans again led all Lancers putting four goals in the back of the cage. She has led CBU in three straight contests, and has 65 goals in her first year with the team.
“She (Evans) has really provided us with a great presence at two-meters,” said Medina. “Her maturity as a freshman playing a very tough position in the pool has been amazing to see and she seems to just be getting better with each game.”
Evans has split time throughout the year with a few other players, but now she seems to be growing more comfortable and owning the position.
After the blazing start, the Bruins rallied and held the Lancers scoreless for two straight quarters while putting in seven of their own goals, making the score 9-5 heading into the final frame.
“We made couple mental errors in early in the second that allowed UCLA to gain momentum and put us back on our heels,” said Medina. “Their depth and transitional speed were tough to deal with down the stretch.”
Despite the losing effort, Leticia Perez put in a great game in goal for CBU, picking up eight saves as well as four steals. Medina said that he was pleased with the way she anchored the defense.
Samantha Banks, Morgan Barrows and Molly Gritchen each added one goal to round out the scoring for the Lancers.
A freshman also led UCLA in scoring as Rachel Fattal put six goals away for the Bruins.
The win moves UCLA to 23-4 on the year, as the Lancers fell to 16-17 with two games left in the year.
CBU hosts Azusa Pacific and Fresno Pacific next Saturday at the Lancer Aquatics Center, as they continue their quest to end the season above .500.
“Overall it was a great game for our women and hopefully a great motivator to get us through our final week of practices and ready for our final two games of the season,” said Medina.
