California Baptist University
Arizona State University
CBU Drops Two Close Contests on Day One of the Malmsten Invitational
1/24/2026 4:11:00 PM | Women's Water Polo
TEMPE, AZ--- The California Baptist University women's water polo team opened up its road schedule on Saturday afternoon as they competed on day one of the Malmsten Invitational in Tempe, Arizona.
CBU would battle two top-15 opponents on the day, losing to both in close contests. The Lancers dropped game one to the host #11 Arizona State before nearly pulling off a comeback against #13 UCSD in the later contest. The losses even up CBU's record early in the season at 2-2 after they swept their home tournament at The Joust on opening weekend.
GAME 1 vs #11 Arizona State:
The Sun Devils set the tone early in their season opener in their home pool, finding the back of the net early and often. Arizona State would net five goals in the first period, only broken up by one goal from the Lancers via a deep shot from Devyn Ruffer.
The Lancers' offense picked it up significantly in the second period as they connected on three goals in the frame. Delilah Moreno opened up the scoring off a powerplay before Emmie Ramirez and Reese Beringer would follow that up with goals to pull within three of the Sun Devils. Arizona State would clamp down over the final few possessions of the first half to take an 8-4 lead after 16 minutes.
The Lancer defense stepped up early in the third quarter, forcing a handful of ASU turnovers and keeping them scoreless over the first four minutes. Tyanna Schneider would make two terrific saves and snag a pair of steals to help aid the Lancer defense. The Sun Devils regrouped in the second half of the period, taking advantage of fastbreak opportunities that led to multiple goals, and their lead ballooned to 12-5 after three quarters.
The Lancers would score two goals in the fourth period, but it would not be enough, as the Sun Devils would close out the match 16-7. Moreno would be the only Lancer with multiple goals, netting two, while Ramirez would have three points with a goal and two assists.
GAME 2 vs #13 UCSD:
The Lancers wasted no time getting on the scoreboard as Niya Bumbaca would rip one from the right side off her left hand to give the Lancers the early 1-0 advantage. UCSD would score the next two goals before CBU would tie the game off a Delilah Moreno goal with 5:11 to play. The Tritons' defense would showcase its tenacity over the next few minutes, not allowing a CBU goal for the ensuing 10 minutes of action, as their lead grew to 7-2. The Lancers would finish off the half with momentum as they net two more goals from Aubrey Newton and Bumbaca to trim the lead to just three goals at the half.
The defenses were phenomenal in the third period as both squads turned away multiple opportunities from the other. UCSD broke through first in the frame off a powerplay to push the lead back to four goals. Madison Haworth would convert the only goal of the frame for the Lancers off a deep shot as the shot clock was expiring, as CBU trailed 9-5 heading into the fourth quarter.
CBU would make a significant push at the Tritons in the final quarter of play, making several runs at UCSD. The Lancers would trail by four goals with 4:21 to play, but would show no signs of quitting as Emmie Ramirez quickly netted two goals over the next two minutes to bring the Lancers within striking distance. The Tritons had a fastbreak opportunity to put the game out of reach, but were denied by Tyanna Schneider at point-blank range to keep CBU alive. The Triton defense would stonewall CBU on its next two offensive possessions, holding off the Lancers 11-9.
Ramirez and Bumbaca both scored multiple goals in the match, with Bumbaca leading in points with three total, and would also tack on three steals. Schneider was excellent in goal with seven saves and four steals, aiding the Lancers' defense efforts in the close loss.
NEXT: The Lancers will finish the Malmsten Invitational on Sunday, January 25, against McKendree at 10 AM PT.
