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SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Cal State East Bay water polo team fell to No. 19 UC San Diego 9-3 before topping Cal State Monterey Bay 9-5 in the nightcap. The Pioneers (16-10) got seven goals from Claire Pierce to bring her weekend total to 13 so far. 

East Bay's offense was stifled in the tournament opener against No. 19 UCSD, matching its season low with just three goals against the WWPA powerhouse. The Pioneers hung with the Tritons early on, however, matching them goal-for-goal in the first quarter and only trailing 3-2 at the half. 

The third quarter proved pivotal for UCSD, though, as it shutout the Pioneers and scored three goals of its own to take a 6-2 lead after 24 minutes of action. The Tritons finished off the victory with another three-goal period in the fourth, while East Bay ended its scoring drought but could only come up with one goal in the final eight minutes. 

Pierce accounted for two of the Pioneers' three goals and was joined by Erica Crain on the scoresheet for East Bay. Goalie Jayme Pekarske finished the game with nine saves for CSUEB. 

Despite the early loss, the Pioneers rebounded in the second game of the day against familiar foe, Cal State Monterey Bay. Though the Otters took an early 3-1 lead after the first quarter, East Bay responded with two goals in the second to enter the break trailing by one, 4-3. 

The second half was all Pioneers, as they outscored CSUMB 6-1. East Bay posted four goals in the third to take a 7-4 lead and never looked back, adding another pair in the fourth while shutting out the Otters in the final quarter to earn the 9-5 victory.

Pierce was at it again, leading the team with five goals, while Crain added another two. Sara Hudyn and Julia Charlesworth also chipped in with a goal apiece to give East Bay its ninth win over a WWPA opponent this season and second win over the Otters. Pekarske finished with five goals in the win.

Cal State East Bay is set to finish off the regular season and The Bronco on Sunday. The Pioneers are set to meet host Santa Clara at 11:15 a.m. before capping the tournament against Colorado State at 3 p.m. tomorrow at Sullivan Aquatic Center.