Game #1 Box Score - PDF

Game #2 Box Score - PDF

HAYWARD, Calif. -- It was a beautiful afternoon for Opening Day at Pioneer Pool on Friday as the Cal State East Bay water polo team split their first two games of the 2013 season. The Pioneers (1-1, 0-0 WWPA) lost 13-10 to Sonoma State before beating Azusa Pacific in the nightcap, 11-7.

Game #1 -- Sonoma State 13, CSUEB 10

The teams played to a 2-2 tie in the first period, with Claire Pierce and Sara Hudyn each scoring goals for the Pioneers. This would become a theme for the day, as the pair of seniors accounted for 17 of East Bay's 21 goals in the two games. Pierce added two more goals in the second period, and the Pioneers went into halftime leading 5-3. 

The Seawolves' offense came out strong in the second half and took control of the game. They scored five goals in each of the last two quarters, grabbing the lead for good at the end of the third. The Pioneers made a run and cut the lead to one with five minutes left, but they weren't able to get the defensive stop they needed, and Sonoma State (3-4, 1-0 WWPA) held on for the win.

It was the first home loss in two years for the Pioneers. "We missed a lot of opportunites," said head coach Lisa Cooper after the game, "and we didn't capitalize when we had 6-on-5."
 
Pierce led all players with five goals, and Hudyn added three. Kate McAfee also notched a goal, and freshman Casey Rushforth scored the first goal of her Pioneer career to round out the scoring. Mary Readon got the start in goal for East Bay and totaled six saves. 

Game #2 -- CSUEB 11, Azusa Pacifc 7

The Pioneer defense turned in a much better effort on the back end of the doubleheader against Azusa Pacific (1-6). Playing in the twilight of the setting sun over the Bay, the Pioneers took a 4-2 lead after the first quarter and never looked back. Simonne Call scored her first goal in a Pioneer cap just before the first-half buzzer, sending East Bay into the break leading 7-3.

Despite racking up 12 total exclusions as a team, the Pioneers kept up the defensive pressure and held on for the 11-7 victory. Hudyn was the game's high scorer with six goals, including two she converted from five meters. Pierce also picked up her second hat trick of the day, notching three goals. Call scored one, while Rita Ortega picked up her first career goal at the end of fourth quarter. Marrina Nation started in goal for East Bay and posted nine saves.

"Overall I'm happy with our performance today," added Cooper. "We were a lot more patient with the ball against Azusa, especially on our 6-on-5. We also did a really good job closing out on their shooters."

The Pioneers are back in action tomorrow morning as they head up to Stockton to compete in the Pacific Invitational. They take on the host Pacific Tigers in the morning, followed by Hartwick College in the afternoon in another tough doubleheader.