A Tough Fight

RIVERSIDE, Calif. – A meeting between California Baptist University and UC San Diego was a test of rankings, as the 17^th-ranked Tritons looked to secure their top-20 spot against the 25^th-ranked Lancers.

Despite a valiant effort from CBU and goalie Lina Medeiros (11 saves, five steals), the Lancers fell short and dropped the game to the Tritons, 9-6. It puts CBU 5-6 overall, while UCSD improves to 4-5 on the year.

The Tritons scored three quick goals – two of them being on power-plays – within the first three minutes of the first period, to put CBU in a 3-0 hole early.

Jessica Castellano gave the Lancers a response by netting a goal at even strength at the 3:18 mark, with Amy Bideshi earning the assist. Unfortunately, the Tritons took advantage of another power play, and found the back of the cage with less than a minute remaining in the first, making the score 4-1.

The Tritons continued to take advantage of CBU's aggressive defense, and netted another goal in a 6-on-5 situation two minutes into the second.

Valerie Spezzaferri proved the Lancers would not go down without a fight, and scored a goal on even strength halfway through the second, to cut the score to 5-2. Lizette Perez kept the ball rolling, and found the back of the cage off of an outlet pass from Medeiros, giving the Lancers a major momentum shift and pushing them within two of the Tritons, 5-3, going into the break.

It was back-and-forth action from the start of the second half with both teams firing multiple shots off the posts. There were no goals until the Tritons netted one at the 3:53 mark, once again on a power-play situation, and added another goal 50 seconds later.

Spezzferri looked to strike back, but the shot was just a little too wide and hit the post. CBU called a timeout with three minutes left in the third period, looking to rally.

The Lancers did just that after Paizlee Dreyer found Annie Eubanks for an even-strength goal, making the score 7-4 and forcing a Triton timeout. Once again, however, the Tritons responded, scoring on a power play to keep an 8-4 advantage.

CBU continued to battle, and Eubanks scored with one second left in the third to bring the Lancers within three, 8-5. Spezzaferri continued to push the Lancer offense and scored a goal in a power-play situation to close the gap, 8-6.

Sadly, the comeback attempt came up just short as the Tritons took the game 9-6.

The Lancers will look to respond at the Indiana Invitational next week starting on Friday, Feb. 24^th. CBU opens the tournament against McKendree University.

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Players Mentioned

Amy Bideshi

Jessica Castellano

Paizlee Dreyer

Annie Eubanks

Lina Medeiros

Lizette Perez

Valerie Spezzaferri

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