RIVERSIDE, Calif. – With so much going as planned, it's what makes the final results so tough to handle.

Despite trailing for a majority of the game, California Baptist overcame its deficit to post a 9-8 win against Azusa Pacific on Wednesday afternoon.

The Cougars came out from the opening sprint and played well as they held a 5-1 lead early in the second quarter. During the early spurt Britt Harris and Hannah Bradley each found the back of the cage twice. Miera Tutusaus Alcaraz ended the scoring run with a net-finder less than 30 seconds into the second quarter.

California Baptist chipped away that that deficit using a pair of Annie Eubanks goals. However, Harris completed her hat trick with 2:45 left in the second frame to give her team a 6-3 edge at the break.

Early in the third quarter both teams scored on the extra-person attack with Bradley netting her hat trick with 6:16 remaining in the stanza. Down 7-4, the home team scored the final goal of the third period which started their rally.

The 23rd ranked Lancers (14-13, 2-1 Golden Coast Conference) scored on the extra person attack 29 seconds into the fourth period to pull within a goal of tying the contest. They knotted the score with 3:54 remaining on a Kira O'Donell even strength goal. They took the lead with 2:39 on the scoreboard as O'Donell assisted on a Vickie Ochia goal.

Moments later the Lancers were called for exclusion. The Cougars got off a pair of shots but Arianne Yeo's attempt hit the post while Alcaraz's was saved. After staving off an extra-person attack, the Cougars got another game tying shot but Annalise Batcheller's effort was saved.

With 38 ticks left O'Donell scored again to give the home team a 9-7 edge. On Azusa Pacific's ensuing chance, Mar Pastor found the back of the net with 23 seconds left. However, the home was able to run off the remaining time on the re-start.

The Cougars held a 27-25 edge in total shots (CBU 18-14 shots on goal). Yeo put the Cougars in solid position at the start of each period with three sprint wins.

The Azusa Pacific offense was spurred on by Harris and Bradley. In addition to her hat trick, Harris had a game high five steals with a team best eight shots. Bradley's performance, aside from her three goals, also included a pair of assists.

Erica Marquez made nine saves and had a steal.

Up next the Cougars will host Santa Clara at the Citrus Aquatic Center at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 7.
 

GOALS: Harris (3), Bradley (3), Pastor, Alcaraz
SAVES: Marquez (9)