BAKERSFIELD, Calif.—CSU Bakersfield split a pair of water polo matches on Wednesday afternoon at the Hillman Aquatics Complex.
Wagner defeated CSUB 13-11 in the opener. The Seahawks took a 4-0 lead in the first quarter and led 9-8 after three quarters. Wagner outscored the 'Runners 4-3 in the final stanza. Megan Rodriguez and Jess Lundgren each posted hat tricks for the Seahawks. The Roadrunners got a pair of hat tricks from Nicola Barrett (R-So., Cape Town, South Africa, Rustenberg HS) and Kristen Jensen (So., Rancho Cucamonga, Calif, Los Osos HS).
“We can't go down 4-0 in the first quarter,” said CSUB head coach Jason Gall. “We did a nice job coming back to bring it within one to end the third period. We couldn't get the stops we need in the fourth.”
The Roadrunners defeated Azusa Pacific 14-8 in the nightcap. CSUB started much better, scoring five goals in the second quarter to take an 8-3 lead into halftime. Bridgette Souza (R-Sr., La Jolla, Calif., Sonoma State) and Niki De Leon (Jr., Montebello, Calif., Montebello HS) both scored three times to pace the 'Runner offense. Janelle Shelby (Sr., San Diego, Calif., Grossmont HS) and Jensen each scored twice.
“Obviously the game becomes more manageable when we start the game with great offense and defense,” Gall said. “We can't spot teams four goals like we did against Wagner and expect to win. We made some great adjustments against APU and when we play like that, we are very good team.”
CSUB travels to No. 1 UCLA for an MPSF match on Saturday in Los Angeles. Game time is set for 1 p.m.
“We have two days to prepare for UCLA,” Gall said. “We are looking forward to playing the No. 1 team in the country.”
GAME 1
Wagner 4 3 2 4 13
CSUB 1 4 3 3 11
WC Goals-Lundgren 3, Rodriquez 3, Watson 2, Burdge 2, Burns 1, Sutherland 1, Doerfler 1.
CSUB Goals-Jensen 3, Barrett 3, De Leon 1, Paulson 1, Souza 1, Helberg 1, Benson 1.
WC Saves-Riddle 6
CSUB Saves-Wahlstrom 4, Tyra 7
GAME 2
CSUB 3 5 3 3 14
APU 1 2 2 3 8
CSUB Goals-De Leon 3, Souza 3, Jensen 2, Shelby 2, Barrett 1, Helberg 1, Wiltse 1,Benson 1
APU Goals-Taylor 2, Espinar 2, Whitney 1, Myers 1, Paxton 1, Folsom 1.
CSUB Saves-Tyra 10, Wahlstrom 4
APU Saves-Margo 8
