SANTA BARBARA, Calif.—CSU Bakersfield split a pair of matches against nationally ranked water polo opponents Sunday at UC Santa Barbara.

No. 19 UC San Diego defeated CSUB 11-10 in the opener. Tied at eight heading into the fourth quarter, the Tritons went up 11-9 midway through the fourth quarter. Freshman Ashley Paz (Upland, Calif., Upland HS) scored her third goal of the match with 40 seconds to play to draw the Roadrunners to within one. CSUB got a defensive stop which resulted in the 'Runners getting the ball back for the final possession. The UCSD defense prevented the Roadrunners from getting a potential game-tying shot off.

Paz would lead CSUB with three goals. Nicola Barrett (R-So., Cape Town, South Africa, Rustenburg HS) had two goals and three assists. Kristen Jensen (So., Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., Los Osos HS) posted four assists.

The Roadrunners defeated No. 17 UC Santa Barbara 11-9 in the nightcap. CSUB led 5-2 at halftime and were able to turn away second half Gauchos' rally. UCSB outscored the 'Runners 4-2 in the third. Goalie Brittany Tyra (Jr., Grass Valley, Calif., Sierra College) led a Roadrunner defenses held the Gauchos to three goals in the fourth. Tyra recorded 10 saves.

Bridgette Souza (R-Sr., La Jolla, Calif., Sonoma State) posted a hat trick. Three other Roadrunners; Barrett, Jensen, and Niki De Leon (Jr., Montebello, Calif., Montebello HS) scored twice.

“This was a great way to end the weekend,” said CSUB head coach Jason Gall. “We had two really tough losses and I'm really proud of the way we came out fighting and believed we could win. We had eight different players score today and we did this with everyone playing for each other and working hard for each other. Beating another ranked team is a great way to go into our week as we prepare for our first conference game.”

CSU Bakersfield opens home action Saturday as CSUB begins MPSF play against No. 7 Arizona State at 1 p.m. Admission is free to the Hillman Aquatics Complex.

~www.GoRunners.com~

GAME 1

UC San Diego     4 2 2 3    11

CSUB                     4 1 3 2    10

UCSD Goals-Kirkland 4, Guilian 2, Bayer 2, Finwall 1, Tittle 1, Sassen 1.

CSUB Goals-Paz 3, Barrett 2, Souza 1, Jensen 1, De Leon 1, Shelby 1, Benson 1.

UCSD Saves-Miller 7

CSUB Saves-Wahlstrom 9

GAME 2

CSUB                                     3 2 2 4    11

UC Santa Barbara             1 1 4 3    9

CSUB Goals-Souza 3, De Leon 2, Barrett 2, Jensen 2, Aldridge 1, Benson 1.

UCSB Goals-Schafer 3, Salberg 2, Wardle 1, Murphy 1, Trabusse 1, Shera 1,

CSUB Saves-Tyra 10

UCS Saves-Raspirini 7