Box Score: CSUEB 8, SSU 7 - F/SDOT

GENEVA, Ohio – Junior Jenn Lightbody scored 55 seconds into the first sudden death overtime period to give Cal State East Bay women's water polo an 8-7 victory over Sonoma State during Saturday's Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) semifinal. The Pioneers will play for the tournament title against UC San Diego at 9 a.m. PDT on Sunday, April 26, at the SPIRE Institute.

"That was the craziest game I have ever been a part of," said 13th year Head Coach Lisa Cooper.

Cal State East Bay seemingly had all but won the game after Taylor Cross scored her game-high fourth goal of the game with four seconds remaining in the second of two 3-minute overtime periods.

Sonoma State called timeout and allowed its offense to set up its offense near the Pioneer goal. SSU's Kaysie Lewis, who was scoreless in five shots up to that point, found space and found its target going bar-down for the game-tying goal as time expired.

"I was very impressed with this team's composure after allowing that final second score. We knew if we came out hard in sudden death we would have a chance to win it," said Cooper.

Sonoma State then had the potential game-winning possession in sudden death overtime after Jessica Becker won the opening sprint. The Pioneers got the defensive stop and Casey Rushforth found Lightbody near the far post for the game clinching goal.

"Casey's pass to Jenn on our first possession in sudden death overtime was unreal, resulting in the game-winning goal. I'm so excited to play UC San Diego for the championship," Cooper added.

Cal State East Bay will face UC San Diego in WWPA Tournament title game for the second straight year. The Tritons defeated Cal State Monterey Bay 12-8 to advance to Sunday's title game.

Neither team scored until late in the first quarter with Ka'iliponi McGee netting the game's opening goal. The team's combined to convert on only 3-of-17 player advantage chances while goalkeepers Marrina Nation and Andrea Mallul collectively saved 19 shots.

"I was extremely happy with our 5-on-6 defense. We were really patient and forced them to shoot from where we wanted," Cooper praised.

After the Pioneers shut out the Seawolves over the opening quarter, they were the team experiencing offensive woes as Sonoma State scored three unanswered and led 3-1 at halftime.

Sabrina Hatzer and Cross brought Cal State East Bay even late in the third quarter and neither team led by more than a single goal the rest of the way. The only two 6-on-5 conversions for the Pioneers came in overtime with Cross netting both goals.

The stats were nearly even between the squads with both taking 35 shots and committing nine turnovers. The Pioneers were 2-of-9, and Seawolves 1-for-8 converting power play opportunities.

Cal State East Bay is looking for its first ever WWPA title, and win over UC San Diego (0-10) in program history. UCSD escaped with a 15-13 overtime win over CSUEB late in the 2015 regular season.