California Baptist University
Pomona-Pitzer
Defensive Domination
2/15/2014 2:13:00 AM | Women's Water Polo
RIVERSIDE--- The No. 19-ranked California Baptist University in the Collegiate Water Polo Association took charge in its first two games of the two-day Lancer Invite Friday with a 14-7 win over Pomona-Pitzer and 19-1 victory over the Regals of Cal Lutheran
The Lancers advance to 6-4 on the season with their two victories today.
In the early game, CBU started strong with a goal less than a minute into the game by Morgan Barrows but was followed by a Sagehen goal shortly after.
Hannah Evans bounced right back with a goal just 20 seconds later to bring the women on top 3-1; but again the Sagehens reciprocated with Alyssa Woodward's second six-on-five comeback goal.
Evans assisted Barrows in her second goal on the day to bring the Lancers back in front at 3-2 with five minutes left in the period. Laura Kocsis found the back of the cage late in the first, pushing the Lancers to a two-goal lead, but CBU allowed one more goal before the clock ran down in the first period.
Evans and Christina Young both found scoring drives in the second period to tie the game at 6 before heading into the half.
After being tied at half, the Lancers rallied in four goals in four minutes and started their defensive hold. Samantha Banks led off with a goal less than half a minute into the third quarter and was followed by Evan's goal on a fast-break after a steal to give CBU a two-goal lead once again.
Young and Kocsis both advanced to two goals in the game with assists by Banks and Barrows, respectively. Forcing Pomona-Pitzer to take a timeout midway through the third, the Lancers led 10-6.
Mallory Montano and Molly Gritchen added two more goals before heading into the fourth where Alyssa Birch and Gritchen would score again. The Lancers allowed just one more Sagehens goal before ending the game at 14-7.
CBU capitalized on two of their three six-on-five opportunities and Meghan Rowland logged seven saves in the cage for the Lancers.
In the late game, CBU came in with a powerful offense once again and fired three goals before the Regals were able to get on the board late in the first quarter. The Lancers led 4-2 going into the second period with goals by Kocsis, Montano, Young and Courtney Menard.
Young found the back of the cage early in the second quarter followed by Evans shortly after. Barrows and Menard both added goals just before heading into the half with CBU holding the Regals to just one scoring drive in the second period.
The Lancers proved to be another second-half defense team by only allowing one goal throughout the last two quarters of the game and driving in five goals in the third and six in the fourth.
Kaitlyn Persky had a successful second half with four goals, while Evans (3), Montano (1) and Menard (1) added to their scoring on the day.
Raine Paul and Valerie Spezzaferri both capitalized on scoring opportunities in the second half and helped lead their team to a 19-4 victory over the Regals.
“Our goal going into this game was to come out strong and continue throughout the four quarters, which we did,” said head coach Jon Miller. “Our defense really stepped it up and kept the pressure on through the whole game.”
California Baptist faces No. 1 USC Saturday at 1:30 p.m. and will close out the Lancer Invite at 7:30 p.m. against Whittier College.
