California Baptist University
Azusa Pacific University
The Lancers Begin Conference Play 1-0 with Road Win at APU
2/22/2024 4:25:00 PM | Women's Water Polo
GLENDORA--- The California Baptist University women's water polo team opened Gold Coast Conference play 1-0 with a 12-11 victory on the road over Azusa Pacific University.
‼️Road W‼️
— California Baptist Women's Water Polo (@LancersWWP) February 23, 2024
The Lancers open @GCCWP play 1-0 as four Lancers post multiple goals against the Cougars!!#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/OifDYhuQLw
The win over the Cougars was the 18th in the long series history between the two programs and the first true road win for the Lancers since April of 2017. The win improves CBU's record to 4-9 overall and nabs the team's first GCC conference victory of the young season.
The Lancers started the match out strong, scoring two quick goals in the opening three minutes of the game. Dora Lehoczky and Niya Bumbaca netted the first two goals before the Cougars responded with one of their own. The Lancers found the back of the net two more times before the period's end to hold a 4-1 lead after eight minutes.
The Cougars began the second period on a 4-0 run to reclaim the lead 5-4, leading to a Julie Snodgrass timeout. Out of the timeout, the Lancers rattled off the final three goals of the period to take the 7-5 lead heading into halftime. Emaly Hutton recorded two of the final three goals, one assisted by Cayleigh Carter, and the other came on a power-play.
The third period started slow for both offenses, but Lehoczky broke the stalemate with a five-meter goal to give CBU an 8-5 lead with five minutes remaining. The Lancers would tack on three more goals compared to two for the Cougars to maintain a four-goal advantage heading into the final frame. CBU had four different goal scorers in the period in: Lehoczky, Celeste Almendariz, Niya Bumbaca, and Adrianna Wong.
Kyra Kahahawai scored the Lancers final goal with 7:10 remaining in the fourth period to bring the score to 12-7 in favor of CBU. The Cougars proceeded to score four straight goals in the final four minutes of the match to keep the game tight. The Cougars scored with 18 seconds remaining, but the Lancers executed a game of keep-away to record the 12-11 victory.
Four Lancers recorded multiple goals in the contest led by freshman Niya Bumbaca, who also posted an assist to give her three points for CBU. Hutton, Lehoczky, and Wong each had two goals, while Carter led the team in assists with a pair. In goal, Schneider recorded 11 saves in 32 minutes of action and tacked on a steal.
NEXT: The Lancers will compete in four matches over two days at the Convergence Tournament. The first match will be against Whittier College in Whittier, CA, on Friday, March 1, at 12:45 PM.
