Box Score: CSUMB 9, CSUEB 8 - F

HAYWARD, Calif. – Cal State East Bay's halftime lead slipped away to Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) rival Cal State Monterey Bay on Saturday afternoon as the Pioneers dropped a 9-8 decision to the Otters. It is the fourth straight meeting decided by one goal in this rivalry, with each team winning two games apiece.

Senior goalkeeper Marrina Nation made 12 saves including a 5-meter penalty shot which preserved a tie score early in the fourth quarter. However it was not enough as CSUMB took its first lead of the game two minutes later and held on for the win.

"Unfortunately it wasn't our day today. We had a strong first half but could not find any momentum for the second half," said East Bay Head Coach Lisa Cooper. "It's always a battle with Monterey. We will learn and grow from this game."

The Pioneer Pool crowd was treated to a promising start for the home side as Nayiri Kechichian scored on the team's opening possession. Ka'iliponi McGee and Alyssa Hess added goals of their own to build a 3-1 first quarter lead.

Sabrina Hatzer scored back-to-back goals and Hess netted her second in the final seconds of the half to give Cal State East Bay a 6-4 halftime cushion.

Both teams struggled to find their offensive rhythm with no elongated stoppages of play over the opening four minutes out of intermission. CSUMB's Bree Hogervorst scored her game-high third goal of the game with 3:37 left in the third quarter in what sparked a momentum swinging scoring spree. It was the first of four unanswered Otter goals as teammates Adrianna Craft, Cami Kellogg, and Samantha Whitecotton completed the string.

Casey Rushforth scored a pair of fourth quarter goals including one which halted the CSUMB scoring run and pulled the Pioneers to within an 8-7 score. Her final tally came with 26 seconds remaining, but the Otters gained possession following the goal and ran out the final seconds to end the game.

"Casey played well on both sides of the pool. She had great communication and her goals late in the game kept us in it," Cooper added.

Rushforth led the Pioneers with three steals, two drawn exclusions, and was one of three East Bay players to score a pair of goals.

Cal State Monterey Bay (1-4) goalkeeper Amanda Jennings made 14 saves in the win. Hogervorst, Kellogg, and Whitecotton each score multiple goals in the victory. The Otters enjoyed a 9-4 advantage in drawn exclusions highlighted by four in the deciding final quarter.

Cal State East Bay (1-2) will host nationally ranked No. 8 Hawaii (0-0) on Friday, Jan. 30, at 5 p.m. Hawaii will begin its season the day prior at Santa Clara.