SAN DIEGO, Calif.—Nicola Barrett recorded a hat trick in both CSUB water polo matches Sunday as the No. 23 Roadrunners defeated Chapman and No. 19 Wagner at the San Diego State Aztec Invitational Sunday afternoon.
CSUB defeated Chapman 21-6 in the opener. The Roadrunners jumped out to a 6-1 lead and never looked back. At one point, the 'Runners led 17-2. The 21 goals are the most in a game by a CSU Bakersfield team since Jan. 24, 2007 when the Roadrunners defeated Azusa Pacific 21-4.
Freshman Skylar Newhouse and Barrett both charted a hat trick to lead offensive onslaught. Five other Roadrunners, Ashley Paz, Jillian Wulf, Gabby Wiltse, Ruby Versfeld, and Tancy Aldridge scored twice. Versfeld would later move to goalkeeper and make three saves in relief of Courtney Wahlstrom.
“We played really well and I was pleased with our first half defense,” said CSUB head coach Jason Gall.
CSUB defeated No. 19 Wagner 9-8 in the nightcap. A pair of Barrett goals helped the 'Runners to a 4-2 lead after one. The Roadrunners were ahead 5-4 at halftime as the teams each scored twice in the third period.
Erica Hardy's third goal tied the match 30 second into the fourth. Lindsey Paulson returned the lead to CSUB 1:28 into the final stanza. Hardy's foul resulted in a successful penalty shot for Barrett at 4:26 of the fourth. Millie Pullyblank's second of the day occurred on the next Seahawks' possession to reduce the 'Runner lead to one.
Wagner killed off a CSUB power play with just under four to play before taking timeout at the 2:56 mark. After getting a stop, the Seahawks went on the power play 45 seconds later. Wahlstrom came up with two saves on back-to-back Hardy shots to keep Wagner at-bat.
After a scrum in the 'Runner offensive end, Barrett was excluded with 56 remaining. Up a player, the Seahawks' Elise Begg took a shot that Wahlstrom turned away. The 'Runners grabbed the ball and called timeout with 35 seconds to play. CSUB was able to maintain possession and run out the clock for the victory.
"Wagner is a great team, and it is nice to finally do enough good things to get the win," Gall said. "We've been improving, but it hasn't been showing on the scoreboard. Courtney had another solid weekend in the cage. We have a big weekend coming up and its nice to get ready for it by getting a couple of wins."
CSU Bakersfield hosts the Roadrunner Invitational next week. CSUB faces Cal State East Bay, No. 7 Arizona State, and No. 10 Princeton during the tournament.
~www.GoRunners.com~
CSUB 6 4 7 4 21
Chapman 1 0 2 3 6
CSUB Goals-Skylar Newhouse 3, Nicola Barrett 3, Ashley Paz 2, Jillian Wulf 2, Tancy Aldridge 2, Gabby Wiltse 2, Ruby Versfeld 2, Kristen Jensen 1, Devynn Stein 1, McKenzie Beardsley 1, Jada Helberg 1, Lauren Paulson 1.
Chapman Goals- Lindsay Campbell 2, Andi Sandoval 1, Emiko Mizusawa 1, Argelia Diaz 1, Grace Schade 1.
CSUB Saves-Courtney Wahlstrom 3, Ruby Versfeld 3.
Chapman Saves-Kerry Goodspeed 2
CSUB 4 1 2 2 9
Wagner 2 2 2 2 8
CSUB Goals-Nicola Barrett 3, Ashley Paz 2, Lindsey Paulson 2, Cassandra Ream 1, Kristen Jensen 1
Wagner Goals-Kimberly Watson 3, Erica Hardy 3, Millie Pullyblank 2,
CSUB Saves-Courtney Wahlstrom 9
Wagner Saves-Emily Riddle 8
