SAN JOSÉ, Calif.-- The Roadrunner water polo team concluded its regular season with a 14-9 loss to MPSF foe San José State. Kristen Jensen (So., Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., Los Osos HS) led CSUB with three goals in the defeat on Saturday.
“We didn't play as sharp as we needed to,” said Jason Gall, Bakersfield's Head Coach. “This is a game that we let slip away. We have to get ready for conference and we may see San José State again next weekend.” The 'Runners and Spartans will join the rest of the MPSF for the conference tournament Apr. 24-26.
SJSU and CSUB kept close through the first quarter. The Spartans took a 3-2 lead into the second period in which they exploded for six goals. Five different Spartans scored in the second quarter while Victoria Smith led the way with two goals.
The 'Runners responded well in the third quarter, outscoring SJSU 3-2. Jensen netted two of her three goals in the third while Bridgette Souza (R-Sr., La Jolla, Calif., Sonoma State) put away her second of the game.
Trailing by four goals heading into the final quarter, the 'Runners were unable to close the gap. SJSU outscored CSUB 3-2 in the fourth to take the 14-9 victory. The Spartans improved to 19-9 (1-5 MPSF) on the year while the 'Runners fell to 12-15 (0-6 MPSF).
Niki De Leon (Jr., Montebello, Calif., Montebello HS) added a pair of goals for the 'Runners while proving herself very effective in the game. The junior caused havoc for SJSU, drawing nine ejections and stealing five passes. Brittany Tyra (Jr., Grass Valley, Calif., Sierra College) added six more saves on Saturday to go over 150 for the season.
The MPSF Tournament will begin next Friday, Apr. 24. Arizona State will host the tournament in Tempe. CSUB will open play Friday morning at 10:30 a.m. against the second-seed UCLA.
CSUB 2 2 3 2 9
SJSU 3 6 2 3 14
SJSU Goals-Lekness 3, Robinson 3, Smith 2, Momen 2, Yates 1, Molnar 1, Pike 1, Seyfert 1
CSUB Goals-Jensen 3, De Leon 2, Souza 2, Aldridge 1, Benson 1
SJSU Saves-Thompson 10
CSUB Saves-Tyra 6
~GoRunners.com~
