Thursday, April 13
Riverside, Calif.
4:00 PM
California Baptist University
6
vs
7
Santa Clara
Photo by: Jacob Gonzalez
Lizette Finds the Net
4/13/2017 9:02:00 PM | Women's Water Polo
RIVERSIDE, Calif. – No. 25-ranked California Baptist University returned to the Lancer Aquatics Center Thursday afternoon for another Golden Coast Conference matchup, this time against Santa Clara University. Despite a thrilling fourth period come back, the Lancers fell to the Broncos in a 7-6 loss.
CBU falls to 15-12 overall and 1-4 in GCC play, while Santa Clara improves to 8-17, and 3-3 in the GCC.
While there was a significant team comeback in the fourth quarter, Lizette Perez produced consistent play throughout the entire game. The sophomore driver scored half of CBU's goals, completing the hat trick before anyone else got in on the action. Valeria Spezzaferri added two more, while Abi Auer rounded out the Lancers' scoring with a goal.
Goalkeeper Lina Medeiros grabbed six saves and three steals, bringing her grand total of steals to 61, which ranks first in the conference.
The Broncos opened the first period with aggression and found the back of the cage first, taking an early 1-0 lead. CBU took a variety of different shots – some hitting the top of the cage while others missing just wide – but couldn't seem to get one in the cage just yet.
CBU got things rolling to start the second period. An incredible save from Medeiros led into a long pass down the pool to Perez, who was able to get in behind the Bronco defense on a breakaway and get the Lancers on the board, 1-1.
Unfortunately, Santa Clara managed to take a 3-1 cushion going into halftime.
Perez again provided some life for CBU in the third quarter after she lofted a shot cross-cage and found the upper corner to score and cut the margin to just one goal, 3-2. The Broncos responded with three even strength goals, however, to keep their lead, 6-3, after the third.
CBU was not willing to give up yet and sprang to life with a major momentum shift in the fourth. It was clear that the Lancers were playing with new energy – Spezzaferri and Auer netted back-to-back goals to make it a one-point game once again, 6-5, with just under six minutes left in the game. A clutch five-meter penalty shot from Spezzaferri tied the game for the Lancers as the crowd and bench came to life.
Jaclyn Myers looked like she would put the Lancers in front for the first time in the game, launching a shot that just tapped the post. The Broncos went to counterattack, but Perez sprinted back on defense to slow down Santa Clara, followed by Medeiros reaching up and saving one from the corner to keep the score even.
There was a Bronco exclusion following the save, and CBU immediately called a timeout. The Lancers couldn't complete the play and the Broncos scored on even strength in the counterattack to jump back in front with about a minute left to play.
CBU called another timeout, and the game came down to the final shot, but was stopped by Santa Clara's defense as time expired to seal the 7-6 victory for the visitors.
The Lancers have two games left in the regular season, including next week's final home game. CBU hosts Concordia University of Irvine at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday and then heads to Azusa Pacific on Saturday for an 11:00 a.m. game time.
CBU falls to 15-12 overall and 1-4 in GCC play, while Santa Clara improves to 8-17, and 3-3 in the GCC.
While there was a significant team comeback in the fourth quarter, Lizette Perez produced consistent play throughout the entire game. The sophomore driver scored half of CBU's goals, completing the hat trick before anyone else got in on the action. Valeria Spezzaferri added two more, while Abi Auer rounded out the Lancers' scoring with a goal.
Goalkeeper Lina Medeiros grabbed six saves and three steals, bringing her grand total of steals to 61, which ranks first in the conference.
The Broncos opened the first period with aggression and found the back of the cage first, taking an early 1-0 lead. CBU took a variety of different shots – some hitting the top of the cage while others missing just wide – but couldn't seem to get one in the cage just yet.
CBU got things rolling to start the second period. An incredible save from Medeiros led into a long pass down the pool to Perez, who was able to get in behind the Bronco defense on a breakaway and get the Lancers on the board, 1-1.
Unfortunately, Santa Clara managed to take a 3-1 cushion going into halftime.
Perez again provided some life for CBU in the third quarter after she lofted a shot cross-cage and found the upper corner to score and cut the margin to just one goal, 3-2. The Broncos responded with three even strength goals, however, to keep their lead, 6-3, after the third.
CBU was not willing to give up yet and sprang to life with a major momentum shift in the fourth. It was clear that the Lancers were playing with new energy – Spezzaferri and Auer netted back-to-back goals to make it a one-point game once again, 6-5, with just under six minutes left in the game. A clutch five-meter penalty shot from Spezzaferri tied the game for the Lancers as the crowd and bench came to life.
Jaclyn Myers looked like she would put the Lancers in front for the first time in the game, launching a shot that just tapped the post. The Broncos went to counterattack, but Perez sprinted back on defense to slow down Santa Clara, followed by Medeiros reaching up and saving one from the corner to keep the score even.
There was a Bronco exclusion following the save, and CBU immediately called a timeout. The Lancers couldn't complete the play and the Broncos scored on even strength in the counterattack to jump back in front with about a minute left to play.
CBU called another timeout, and the game came down to the final shot, but was stopped by Santa Clara's defense as time expired to seal the 7-6 victory for the visitors.
The Lancers have two games left in the regular season, including next week's final home game. CBU hosts Concordia University of Irvine at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday and then heads to Azusa Pacific on Saturday for an 11:00 a.m. game time.
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Water Polo
2MD
/ Women's Water Polo
DR
/ 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
