Score sheet

SANTA CLARA, Calif. --- The Pioneer water polo team lost for the second straight day at the Western Water Polo Association Championships, dropping an 8-3 decision to Cal State Monterey Bay. Cal State East Bay (16-17) struggled to get anything going offensively in a low-scoring game against the Otters (11-22).

The Pioneers got into a hole early as Monterey Bay jumped out to a 3-0 lead halfway through the first period. Junior Allison Zell scored the only goal of the quarter for East Bay, but the Otters answered to go up 4-1 after the first.

The Pioneers allowed two more goals before senior Claire Pierce got on the board. The three-time All-American found the back of the cage with 1:21 to go before halftime, but CSUEB nonethless went into recess trailing 6-2.

Otter goalkeeper Amanda Jennings pitched a shutout in the third quarter as the Monterey Bay defense continued to frustrate the Pioneers. The Otters scored following a kick-out, and then again on a pentalty shot, to extend their advantage to 8-2 after three quarters.

Pierce notched another goal at the start of the fourth, but neither team managed to score in the final six minutes of play. The Otters held on the for the 8-3 win, limiting the Pioneers to their lowest scoring output of the season. Kylie Fields notched a hat trick for CSUMB. 

East Bay managed just three goals on 28 shot attempts. Pierce led the Pioneers with a pair of scores. Marrina Nation played well in the cage, tallying eight saves. 

The tournament concludes tomorrow from the Sullivan Aquatic Center. The Pioneers will meet Cal State San Bernardino in the seventh-place game at 9:30 a.m. With the win, CSUMB will play Sonoma State for fifth place. No. 11 LMU and No. 13 UC San Diego will meet in the title game. Follow all the action at WWPA Tournament Central.