California Baptist University
San Diego State University
Golden Coast Deficit
3/2/2014 3:17:00 AM | Women's Water Polo
SAN DIEGO, Calif.--- No. 20-ranked California Baptist University battled on defense in its first Golden Coast Conference game of the season against No. 17 San Diego State, but couldn't follow through on offense to secure the win, falling to the Aztecs 6-5.
The Lancers drop to 7-8 on the season and 0-1 in conference, while the Aztecs move to 8-5 (1-0 GCC) with the victory.
“It was our first conference game so we knew it would be tough but we came out and played hard,” head coach Jonathan Miller stated. “We played really well, we just couldn't follow through on offense every time.”
Meghan Rowland contributed four saves and a season-high nine steals in the cage with valid effort to keep the final score close.
The Lancers attempted 26 shot on goal but were shut down by SDSU's Rachel Mitchell with 17 saves in the cage to hold the Lancers to a tight loss.
With the game scoreless after the first, the Aztecs put up three goals in the second but gave up two six-on-five goals by Hannah Evans before the half would come to an end with the Lancers trailing 3-2.
The Lancers outscored SDSU 3-1 in the third quarter with a goal by Molly Gritchen and a pair of goals by Morgan Barrows to tie the game 5-5 going into the fourth.
“Our defense was a high point,” added Miller. “We had a total of 18 steals and did a good job of shutting them down. Holding them to six goals was great for us.”
The Aztecs found their last scoring opportunity late in the fourth quarter leaving CBU unable to fight back and ending the game 6-5.
The Lancers look to improve their record March 7 with games against Redlands and Gannon University.
