BERKELEY, Calif.--No. 4 California (15-4, 2-1 MPSF) defeated Bakersfield 19-10 in MPSF water polo action Sunday afternoon.
The teams played to a 4-4 tie after one. The Bears opened the second quarter by scoring six goals on their first six possessions to break the game open. Cal scored on their first two possession of the second quarter. The Roadrunners finally broke the scoreless drought, getting a 6-on-5 goal from Caitlyn Hill (Jr., Porterville, Calif., Porterville HS) to make it 12-5 at the 6-minute mark of the third.A second straight power play goal from Hill cut it 12-6 midway through the third.
A third straight 6-on-5 goal, this time from Niki De Leon (So., Montebello, Calif., Montebello HS) got the 'Runners to within five the next time down for CSUB. The Bears got one back before Shelby earned the hat trick as the Bears took a 13-8 lead into the fourth. Cal scored on their first three possessions of the fourth quarter to secure the contest. Shelby got her fourth of the day at the halfway point of the fourth and tied her career high with her fifth a short time later. The Bears scored three times down the stretch to make it the final 19-10.
Kristen Jensen (Fr., Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., Los Osos HS) recorded four assists and drew three ejections.
"It was great to be able to match them in the first quarter," said Bakersfield head coach Jason Gall. "We had a pretty good 6-on-5 conversion rate. There are some simple defensive adjustments that we need to make in order to make these games winnable. I am pleased with the effort and can see the improvement each week."
The Roadrunners (12-17, 0-3 MPSF) play at home for the first time this season Apr. 5 when CSUB hosts No. 2 UCLA at 1 p.m. at the Hillman Aquatics Complex. An alumni game will follow the varsity matchup at approximately 3:30 p.m.
Bakersfield 4 0 4 2 10
California 4 6 3 6 19
CSUB Goals: Janelle Shelby 5, Caitlyn Hill 2, Bridgette Souza 2, Nikki De Leon
Cal Goals: Dora Antal 4, Anna Illes 4, Ashley Young 2, Roser Tarrago 2, Genevieve Weed 2, Michelle Caron, Kelly McKee, Stephanie Mutafyan, Victoria Williams, Tiera Schroeder.
CSUB Saves: Courtney Wahlstrom 11.
Cal Saves: Madeline Trabucco 4.
~www.GoRunners.com~
