Score sheet (PDF)

HAYWARD, Calif. -- The Cal State East Bay water polo team dropped a heartbreaker on Saturday afternoon at Pioneer Pool, losing 10-9 to conference rival Sonoma State.

With the win, the Seawolves (11-13) split the season series against the Pioneers (13-10) and improve their record in Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) competition to 2-1, which clinches the No. 2 seed at the conference tournament. East Bay falls to 0-2 in WWPA play with one regular season game remaining. 

The game was tight from the outset, as neither squad led by more than two goals at any point. The Pioneers hit the post on several good scoring opportunities, and the Seawolves seemed to always answer back with a goal anytime it appeared CSUEB was gaining momentum. 

Senior Taylor Cross led the way with four goals, all of which came in the first half. The teams went into the break tied 6-6. SSU took a 9-8 lead into the fourth quarter, but Tori Dettloff drew an exclusion, and Casey Rushforth tied the game with a goal at 5:44 off an assist by Sabrina Hatzer.

The Seawolves took the lead back with 2:41 remaining on Cayleigh Robinson's fifth goal of the afternoon. The Pioneers had several chances to tie the game after that, but they weren't able to net the equalizer. Hatzer's attempt from the outside was blocked by the defense with just over a minute remaining. East Bay then got a defensive stop, but they turned the ball over on their final possession as goalkeeper Nikki Vaughan attempted to hit Cross with a long pass. 

Hatzer notched a hat trick in the loss with three goals, two assists, and two steals. Dettloff added a goal and dished out a team-high four assists. The Pioneers drew 10 exclusions in the game, led by Cross and Olivia Mackell with three each. Vaughan finished with nine saves and a steal in the cage. 

The Pioneers close out the regular season next Friday when they host Cal State Monterey Bay at 12 p.m. The season finale will be preceded by the annual "Senior Day" ceremony to honor the seven players who will be competing in Pioneer Pool for the final time.