SANTA BARBARA, Calif.—No. 25 CSU Bakersfield opened the 2017 water polo season at the UC Santa Barbara Winter Invite on Friday. The Roadrunners split a pair of matches to begin the season.

In the opener, No. 15 Indiana defeated the 'Runners 13-6. The Sarah Young's four goals were a match-high for the Hoosiers. Kristen Jensen paced the Roadrunners with two goals. Nicola Barrett, Gabby Wiltse, Tancy Aldridge, and Katie Benson each posted a goal for CSUB. Barrett drew four exclusions. Courtney Wahlstrom made 11 saves in goal for the 'Runners.

“We were just a couple of missed opportunities away from having a different result,” said CSUB head coach Jason Gall. “We have to convert and we have to not give the other team goals in critical situations.”

CSU Bakersfield defeated No. 22 California Baptist 7-5 in Friday's nightcap. The 'Runners raced to a strong start, outscoring the Lancers 3-1 in the first quarter. The defense settled in the second as each team could only manage one goal each. CSUB scored both goals of the third to earn a 6-2 lead. California Baptist would chart three of the four game's four goals in the fourth to make it 7-5. Jensen scored twice and made three steals. Wahlstrom recorded eight saves. Wiltse drew two exclusions.

“We played good defense through the first three quarter,” Gall said. “We had some really good offensive possession throughout the game. We had 18 players enter the game and it was fun to see everyone contributing.”

The Roadrunners continue action Saturday in Santa Barbara with matches against No. 7 Michigan (9 a.m.) and Marist (1:40 p.m.).

~www.GoRunners.com~

Indiana                 4 2 2 5                   13

CSUB                  2 2 2 0                    6

IU goals-Young 4, Doten 2, Williams 2, Nacouzi 2, Abarta 1, Beadle 1, Myers 1

CSUB goals-Jensen 2, Barrett 1, Wiltse 1, Aldridge 1, Benson 1.

IU Saves-Not Provided

CSUB Saves-Wahlstrom 11, Versfeld 0.

CSUB                 3 1 2 1                   7

Calif. Baptist       1 1 0 3                   5

CSUB goals-Jensen 2, Stein 1, Lindsay Paulson 1, Halberg 1, Ream 1, Benson 1

CBU goals-Perge 2, Dreyer 1, Wong 1, Sppzzaterri 1

CSUB Saves-Wahlstrom 8

CBU Saves-Not Provided