Thursday, April 23
Stockton, CA
3:00 PM
California Baptist University
vs
APU
Photo by: Leigh Ann Lindsey
Going for Gold
4/22/2015 9:31:00 AM | Women's Water Polo
STOCKTON, Calif. — Coming into the Golden Coast Conference Tournament, California Baptist University has a chance to avenge two of its regular-season losses that came by a combined three goals.
In the second-ever GCC Tournament, the Lancers open with conference-rival Azusa Pacific Thursday at 3 p.m., with University of Pacific's Chris Kjeldsen Pool serving as tournament host. An instant classic was produced when CBU and APU met for the first time earlier this season. Unfortunately for the Lancers, it was one they do not want to remember, as the Cougars claimed their first victory over their conference rival by one goal, 9-8.
In the second-ever GCC Tournament, the Lancers open with conference-rival Azusa Pacific Thursday at 3 p.m., with University of Pacific's Chris Kjeldsen Pool serving as tournament host. An instant classic was produced when CBU and APU met for the first time earlier this season. Unfortunately for the Lancers, it was one they do not want to remember, as the Cougars claimed their first victory over their conference rival by one goal, 9-8.
CBU has an opportunity to erase the bitter memory from its trip to APU earlier this season. There is much more at stake this time around, with the winner advancing into a semifinal match with top-seeded San Diego State, the 18th-ranked team in the NCAA, on Friday at 3 p.m. The Lancers would love to get another shot at the Aztecs after falling to them just 11-9 at home on March 7th.
The loser in CBU and APU's first-round game will move into the fifth-place game Saturday at 11:30 a.m. against one of the four other conference teams.
CBU took fifth place in the GCC in its first year as a conference member. It solidified its place with a 9-8 victory over APU in the 2014 conference tournament at Loyola Marymount.
Record wise, there was nothing separating CBU (19-13) and APU (10-15), with each possessing 2-4 conference records. The Cougars won the coin toss and No. 4 seed, making the Lancers the fifth team in the tournament. Alba Espinar and Hannah Evans had a game and team-high goals for APU and CBU, respectively, with five each when they last met.
Taylor Whitney, a two-meter, leads APU's offense with 55 goals, 14 steals and 11 assists this season. Espinar, a driver, is close behind with 40 scores on the year. Courtney Folsom (27 assists, 23 goals) and Maryann Slama (26 goals, 24 assists) bring a balanced shoot-and-passing attack for the Cougars. Katie Margot has logged 190 saves in the cage for APU this season.
Evans will certainly draw the brunt of the defensive attention, not only by APU but the entire conference this week. She leads not only her team but the entire conference with 112 goals, which garnered her first-team All-GCC honors on Tuesday. All-conference second teamer Mallory Montano is the Lancers' top passer, with 44 assists and 13 goals this season. Meghan Rowland made the conference's honorable mention after leading the conference with 258 saves, in addition to 46 steals and 28 assists this year.
The loser in CBU and APU's first-round game will move into the fifth-place game Saturday at 11:30 a.m. against one of the four other conference teams.
CBU took fifth place in the GCC in its first year as a conference member. It solidified its place with a 9-8 victory over APU in the 2014 conference tournament at Loyola Marymount.
Record wise, there was nothing separating CBU (19-13) and APU (10-15), with each possessing 2-4 conference records. The Cougars won the coin toss and No. 4 seed, making the Lancers the fifth team in the tournament. Alba Espinar and Hannah Evans had a game and team-high goals for APU and CBU, respectively, with five each when they last met.
Taylor Whitney, a two-meter, leads APU's offense with 55 goals, 14 steals and 11 assists this season. Espinar, a driver, is close behind with 40 scores on the year. Courtney Folsom (27 assists, 23 goals) and Maryann Slama (26 goals, 24 assists) bring a balanced shoot-and-passing attack for the Cougars. Katie Margot has logged 190 saves in the cage for APU this season.
Evans will certainly draw the brunt of the defensive attention, not only by APU but the entire conference this week. She leads not only her team but the entire conference with 112 goals, which garnered her first-team All-GCC honors on Tuesday. All-conference second teamer Mallory Montano is the Lancers' top passer, with 44 assists and 13 goals this season. Meghan Rowland made the conference's honorable mention after leading the conference with 258 saves, in addition to 46 steals and 28 assists this year.
Players Mentioned
2M
/ Women's Water Polo
UT
/ Women's Water Polo
G
/ Women's Water PoloCalifornia Baptist WWP vs Azusa Pacific University
Wednesday, January 08
California Baptist WWP vs Fresno State
Wednesday, January 08
California Baptist WWP vs University of the Pacific
Wednesday, January 08
California Baptist WWP vs CSUN
Wednesday, January 08
