Bucknell University
California Baptist
Rozas Nets Game-Winner in Overtime to Lead Bucknell Women's Water Polo Past California Baptist, 13-12
3/12/2007 8:00:00 AM | Women's Water Polo
March 12, 2007
RIVERSIDE, Calif. - Valentina Rozas (Pico Rivera, Calif./El Rancho) scored with 1:43 left in the third sudden-death overtime period to lead the Bucknell women's water polo team to a thrilling 13-12 victory over California Baptist Monday evening as the Bison began their six-game West Coast trip with the longest game in program history.
Rozas equaled Elizabeth Jensen (San Mateo, Calif./St. Ignatius Prep) for the team lead with four goals as Bucknell played its third overtime contest in its last four games. The score was tied at eight at the end of regulation. The Lancers outscored the Bison 3-2 in the first three-minute overtime period, but Bucknell drew even at 12-12 in the second overtime frame. With the score still tied, the two teams moved to sudden-death overtime. Neither team found the back of the net in the first two stanzas, but Rozas ended the scoreless streak when she whirled from her two-meter position and snuck a shot in past the Cal Baptist goalie with 1:43 showing on the clock.
Bucknell, which has seen six games in a row decided by three goals or less, improved to 2-1 in overtime contests this season. The Bison are now 9-9 on the campaign as they halted a two-game losing streak and equaled a season high for goals with 13.
Despite allowing the 12 goals, Bucknell's defense was strong as goalie Mandy Bynum (San Jose, Calif./Leland) came up one save shy of her career high with 14 and totaled three steals. Overall, the Bison tallied 16 steals, one shy of their season high. Rozas and Shana Palencia (Glendale, Calif./Hoover) equaled Bynum for the team lead in steals with three apiece.
Jensen equaled her career high with seven points as she assisted on three scores to go along with her four goals. Meagan Gins (Albuquerque, N.M./Valley) added three goals to boost her team-high figure to 42. She now has 160 goals in her three-year career, one shy of Brooke Rea for second place on the Bucknell career list. Gins also totaled a team-high six ejections drawn, giving her 54 on the year.
The Bison capitalized on many of Gins' ejections drawn as they were 5-for-8 in six-on-five opportunities.
Julie Hale led Cal Baptist with four goals, while Stacey Rahn tallied three. The Lancers saw their eight-game winning streak snapped and fell to 12-4 on the season.
Bucknell takes on Redlands, the No. 1 team in Division III and a squad it defeated 10-4 last month, at 10:30 (Eastern) Monday night.
BUCKNELL 3 2 2 1 2 2 0 0 1 -13
CAL BAPTIST 0 3 3 2 3 1 0 0 0 -12
Goals: Rozas (4), Jensen (4), Gins (3), Swoyer, Rowe.
Assists: Jensen (3), Kingerski (2), Rowe (2).
Ejections Drawn: Gins (6), Rozas, Jensen.
Saves: Bynum (14 svs., 12 ga., 45:17 min.).
Steals: Palencia (3), Rozas (3), Bynum (3), Gins (2), Sullivan (2), Rowe (2), Swoyer.
Sprints: Palencia (5-5), Jensen (1-3).
Record: 9-9
