Building Stages

Saturday, January 24

SANTA BARBARA, CA

2:10 PM

California Baptist University

Sonoma State

1/24/2015 7:54:00 PM | Women's Water Polo

By: Maribel Ramirez, Sports Information Graduate Assistant

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — As the second day of the UC Santa Barbara Winter Invitational came to an end, California Baptist University looks to build on its successes and learn from its mistakes in the early stages of the season. The Lancers grabbed their first win of the year with a 9-3 win over Sonoma State, but fell 20-2 to No. 2-ranked UCLA.

In the early game, CBU started strong against the Seawolves with two goals in the first period. Paizlee Dryer scored the first goal for the Lancers and Samantha Banks followed to help the Lancers lead the first period 2-0.

Hannah Evans kept the run going with a penalty goal, while Valerie Spezzaferri also found the back of the cage to take a commanding 4-0 cushion. The Seawolves responded with their first goal of the game to cut the margin to 4-1.

The Lancers kept rolling, however, as Spezzaferri led off with a goal on exclusion and was followed by Jessica Castellano scoring. Courtney Menard also got in on the action to put the Lancers in charge at 7-2.

CBU took home the victory after Hannah Evans and Raine Paul scored the last two Lancer goals. Evans scored with less than two minutes remaining and Paul rattled in a goal in the last 53 seconds remaining of the game to hand CBU the 9-3 victory.

"We stuck to the defensive game plan and did a nice job forcing shots from the outside," said head coach Jon Miller. "We had a few more good looks that we didn't put away, but played a solid game overall."

Meghan Rowland logged fifteen saves in the cage for the Lancers against SSU.

In the late game, CBU couldn't overcome the Bruins for the second time this year, dropping the game 20-2. Castellano notched both goals in the contest.

CBU returns home to hosts the Lancer Mini Invite on Jan. 31, hoping to build on its 1-3 record.