TEMPE, Ariz.--Bakersfield (12-16) split the final two matches of the Arizona State Tournament Sunday.

Bakersfield defeated Whittier 10-8 to open Sunday's action. The Poets are ranked third in the current Division III poll. Niki De Leon (So., Montebello, Calif., Montebello HS) scored four times and made three steals. Paige Tsuruda (Sr., Honolulu, Hawai'i, Word of Life Academy) scored three goals and drew five exclusions.

The Roadrunners rallied back from a 7-2 deficit against Marist in the tournament finale, but the Red Foxes defeated Bakersfield 9-8 in overtime. Janelle Shelby (Jr., San Diego, Calif., Grossmont HS) had a hat trick. Tsuruda scored twice. Kristen Jensen (Fr., Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., Los Osos HS) had five steals and four assists.

"We battled back from five down to Marist, and I give our team a lot of credit," said Bakersfield head coach Jason Gall. "We just couldn't make the plays we need to."

Bakersfield travels to No. 4 California next Sunday for a 1 p.m. tilt.

~www.GoRunners.com~