Friday, April 24
Stockton, CA
3:00 PM
California Baptist University
6
vs
11
San Diego State University
Photo by: Andrew Shortall
Going After the Aztecs
4/24/2015 4:25:00 PM | Women's Water Polo
STOCKTON, Calif. – With its first-round victory in the Golden Coast Conference Championships the day before, California Baptist University had already secured its best-ever finish in the conference.
A late comeback attempt from the Lancers looked to make the tournament one they would remember forever, as they attempted to upset top-seeded San Diego State Friday afternoon. Unfortunately, the 18th-ranked Aztecs were able to overcome a three-goal run from CBU with just three minutes to go to take the game 10-6 at the University of Pacific's Chris Kjeldsen Pool.
The loss brings CBU's record to 20-14 this year. San Diego State improves to 18-14 this season, and will face third-seeded Loyola Marymount in the championship game Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CBU will face tournament-host and second-seeded Pacific in the third-place game Saturday at 1:00 p.m.
A 4-0 Aztecs run gave them a 9-3 lead with time running out for CBU in the fourth quarter. With its back up against the wall, the Lancers came to life. First, Jessica Castellano scored with 2:55 to go in the game. A turnover led to a fast-break goal from Hannah Evans. On the very next possession, Evans pick-pocketed her opponent near half court and then scored on a breakaway to give the Lancers hope of a comeback, with the deficit trimmed to 9-6 with 2:10 to go.
San Diego State had a response and scored the last two goals of the game to secure the win.
The Aztecs also started strong and took an early cushion with a 3-0 start to the game. Courtney Menard gave the Lancers' offense a kickstart for the second game in a row, clanking a shot off the left post and just across the goal line to make it 3-1 with 3:55 left in the first half.
CBU took momentum into the third quarter when Valerie Spezzafferi lasered a shot home with 55 seconds to go. It came off some beautiful passing on a six-on-five opportunity, with Paizlee Dreyer notching the assist, making it 3-2 at the break.
SDSU opened the third quarter on a two-goal run, but Spezzaferri scored her second goal of the game to keep the Lancers within 5-3. From there, the Aztecs embarked on another 2-0 spurt that gave them a 7-3 lead with just eight minutes to go. San Diego State benefitted from two penalty shots in the quarter. Meghan Rowland came up with a huge block on the first, but was unable to stop the second.
Dreyer finished with four assists and two steals in the game. In addition to her two goals, Evans drew three ejections and notched two steals. Spezzaferri had two steals, along with her two goals, and Mallory Montano forced three SDSU exclusions. In the cage, Rowland had seven saves and three steals.
BOX SCORE
A late comeback attempt from the Lancers looked to make the tournament one they would remember forever, as they attempted to upset top-seeded San Diego State Friday afternoon. Unfortunately, the 18th-ranked Aztecs were able to overcome a three-goal run from CBU with just three minutes to go to take the game 10-6 at the University of Pacific's Chris Kjeldsen Pool.
The loss brings CBU's record to 20-14 this year. San Diego State improves to 18-14 this season, and will face third-seeded Loyola Marymount in the championship game Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CBU will face tournament-host and second-seeded Pacific in the third-place game Saturday at 1:00 p.m.
A 4-0 Aztecs run gave them a 9-3 lead with time running out for CBU in the fourth quarter. With its back up against the wall, the Lancers came to life. First, Jessica Castellano scored with 2:55 to go in the game. A turnover led to a fast-break goal from Hannah Evans. On the very next possession, Evans pick-pocketed her opponent near half court and then scored on a breakaway to give the Lancers hope of a comeback, with the deficit trimmed to 9-6 with 2:10 to go.
San Diego State had a response and scored the last two goals of the game to secure the win.
The Aztecs also started strong and took an early cushion with a 3-0 start to the game. Courtney Menard gave the Lancers' offense a kickstart for the second game in a row, clanking a shot off the left post and just across the goal line to make it 3-1 with 3:55 left in the first half.
CBU took momentum into the third quarter when Valerie Spezzafferi lasered a shot home with 55 seconds to go. It came off some beautiful passing on a six-on-five opportunity, with Paizlee Dreyer notching the assist, making it 3-2 at the break.
SDSU opened the third quarter on a two-goal run, but Spezzaferri scored her second goal of the game to keep the Lancers within 5-3. From there, the Aztecs embarked on another 2-0 spurt that gave them a 7-3 lead with just eight minutes to go. San Diego State benefitted from two penalty shots in the quarter. Meghan Rowland came up with a huge block on the first, but was unable to stop the second.
Dreyer finished with four assists and two steals in the game. In addition to her two goals, Evans drew three ejections and notched two steals. Spezzaferri had two steals, along with her two goals, and Mallory Montano forced three SDSU exclusions. In the cage, Rowland had seven saves and three steals.
BOX SCORE
Players Mentioned
2MD
/ Women's Water Polo
DR
/ Women's Water Polo
2M
/ Women's Water Polo
UT
/ Women's Water Polo
UT
/ Women's Water Polo
G
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