March 13, 2008

NORTHRIDGE, Calif. - Seven different Bison netted goals, led by three from Valentina Rozas (Pico Rivera, Calif./El Rancho), but Cal State Northridge tallied nine second-half scores as No. 20 Bucknell dropped a 13-9 game to No. 13 Cal State Northridge on Thursday. The loss was the second in a row for the Bison, who fell to a still-impressive 14-4 this season.

After trailing by two goals at the end of the first period, Bucknell used tallies from Kandis Canonica (Burlingame, Calif./St. Ignatius Prep), Rozas and Aubrey Rowe (Carlisle, Pa./Cumberland Valley) in the second quarter to tie the game at 4-4 heading into halftime.

Neither team scored in the first three minutes of the second half, and it was still tied at 5-all following a goal by Shana Palencia (Glendale, Calif./Hoover) more than midway through the second quarter. However, Cal State Northridge (7-9) reeled off three unanswered goals in the final 2:27 of the third quarter. The Matadors extended their lead out to as many as five goals (12-7) late in the fourth quarter.

Despite yielding a season high-tying 13 goals, Bucknell totaled 17 steals on the defensive side of the pool. Goalkeeper Alison Carter (Costa Mesa, Calif./Newport Harbor) led the way with a career-high five to go along with her five saves. Rozas and Meagan Gins (Albuquerque, N.M./Valley) had three steals apiece.

In addition to her three goals and three steals, Rozas drew three ejections.

Bucknell, which was averaging 12.6 goals per game, has now failed to reach double figures in three of its last four games. The Bison also fell to 1-4 against ranked foes this season, but they have often played those opponents very tough.

Bucknell will take Friday off to gear up for this weekend's Claremont Convergence. The 19-team field will close out a week-long Spring Break trip for the Bison, who will play Cal State San Bernadino, Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, Pomona-Pitzer and Redlands.

BUCKNELL                         1 3 1 4 -9
CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE     3 1 4 5 -13

Goals: Rozas (3), Palencia, Gins, Swoyer, Canonica, Prickett, Rowe.
Assists: Palencia, Swoyer, Allen.
Ejections Drawn: Rozas (3), Gins (2), Prickett (2), Rowe.
Saves: Carter (5 svs., 13 ga., 32:00 min.).
Steals: Carter (5), Gins (3), Rozas (3), Swoyer (2), Canonica (2), Prickett, Allen.
Sprints: Canonica (1-2), Palencia (0-2).
Record: 14-4