Stunning in Homecoming

Saturday, January 30

Riverside, Calif.

11:45 AM

California Baptist University

Bakersfield

Photo by: Jacob Gonzalez

1/30/2016 9:56:00 PM | Women's Water Polo

By: Andrew Shortall, Asst. Sports Information Director

RIVERSIDE, Calif. – After three tough losses on the road, California Baptist University was happy to get home for the first time in 2016. The 22^nd-ranked Lancers came away with a 12-9 win over No. 21 Bakersfield and then steamrolled Redlands – the sixth-ranked team in NCAA Division III – 18-3.

Quick starts were key to both wins, as CBU scored the first four goals against the Roadrunners and the first six against the Bulldogs. Hannah logged a hat trick in both games and even had one to spare, finishing with 10 goals in all. It allowed the Lancers to improve to 3-3 this year.

"Everybody was aggressive and attacking early, and that helped a lot," Coach Jon Miller said. "Today, we set the tempo, were aggressive and looked for shots."

Laura Kocsis produced four goals Saturday, with three against Redlands. Marnie Kavern and Paizlee Dreyer each scored three times, with two each in the nightcap with the Bulldogs. Allie Coleman and Brittany McWaid also scored twice in the finale.

Valerie Spezzaferri helped set the tone of the day with two goals against Bakersfield.

While the offense did its fair share, defense arguably remained the brightest spot for the Lancers, who have held their opponents to 10 goals or less in regulation for the fourth time this year. They also forced eight extra possessions by forcing eight Roadrunners' turnovers.

Meghan Rowland blocked seven shots and had three steals against the Roadrunners, but cut down countless other opportunities before they could develop by jumping out and stealing 50-50 balls or closing out a shooter on a breakaway and impacting the shot.

Lina Medeiros compiled 12 saves in the nightcap, with five saves in the first quarter.

"Our goalies do a really good job of reading and then reacting quick enough and using their long reach to cut down opportunities," Miller said. "Our two-meters expect it so they can play defense knowing they have a safety net back there."

While Evans dominated against Bakersfield, it was the Lancers outside shooters that set the tone and gave her room to operate. Spezzaferri came out and scored from distance a minute in and Evans followed 1:30 later. Kocsis rattled in a shot from outside 30 seconds later and Evans built up the 4-0 lead with another goal at the 3:30 mark.

"Our shooters were huge because when a team can just sit, drop back and just sit on top of two-meters it makes it hard for anyone to get open," Miller said. "We had people driving and moving to open up the inside game and the outside shoot. Our movement made our offense and made the other team play defense."

Bakersfield would get moving, but still went into the second quarter down four, 6-2, after goals from Evans and Kavern in the final 37 seconds.

Goals from Spezzaferri and Evans made it an 8-3 lead by halftime. The Lancers were not out of the woods yet, as the Roadrunners pulled within 9-6 heading into the fourth quarter while CBU tested its depth.

Dreyer and Samantha Banks delivered arguably the two biggest goals of the day. Dreyer rattled in a shot from about eight meters out to make it a 10-6 lead 30 seconds into the fourth, and Banks lobbed in a shot for a big 11-6 lead with 5:22 to play.

Bakersfield did not let up and pulled within two, 11-9, with 1:19 to play, but Evans scored her sixth with 54 seconds to go to wrap up the result.

Evans had a hat trick by the 2:27 into the second game, while Dreyer had two 3:35, as the duo helped the Lancers speed away with a 6-0 lead in the first quarter.

Redlands would score consecutive goals, but it only fueled CBU, as it would notch the next nine goals. Kocsis and Kavern each had two goals in that span. By the end of it, nine Lancers would have a goal in the game.