Score Sheet (PDF)

HAYWARD, Calif. -- The Cal State East Bay water polo team fell to No. 22 ranked Cal State Northridge by a final score of 16-6 on Sunday in the 2017 home opener at Pioneer Pool. The Pioneers drop their record to 1-1 to start the season, while the Division I Matadors improve to 2-6.

Freshman Auriel Bill and junior Leilani Vazquez each netted two goals to lead East Bay, but the Pioneers scored just once in each of the first three quarters as CSUN pulled away for a one-sided win on a beautiful day in the Hayward hills.

The Matadors got on the board first with a goal 40 seconds into the game, but CSUEB answered back quickly. Bill scored off an assist from Brandi Carroll to even the score at 1-1. The Pioneers trailed 3-1 after the first period, but they cut into that deficit early in the second. Carroll scored 33 seconds into the frame following a CSUN ejection, with Bill picking up the assist.

The score was tight at 3-2 at that point, but then Northridge began to pick up momentum offensively. The visitors scored five unanswered goals to close the second quarter, taking an 8-2 lead into halftime.

Bill tallied her second goal of the day to make it 8-3 to begin the third quarter, but the Matadors found the back of the cage on the next possession and scored three more times before the end of the period. 

Sophomore Makenna Nation took over as the goalkeeper to start the fourth with the score 12-3. Starter Nikki Vaughan totaled 11 saves in three quarters of work, and Nation closed out the contest by giving up four goals and making a pair of saves. 

The Pioneers added three more to their total in the final period, as Alicia Tully scored her first career goal on a five-meter penalty shot. Fellow newcomer Vazquez notched two scores in the final three minutes of action, her first collegiate goals as well. 

Carroll finished with two assists to pace the squad, while Vazquez led the team with a pair of steals. Rocio Fesembeck drew five ejections for the Pioneers, and Olivia Mackell drew four before she picked up her third ejection in the third quarter. 

Next up, CSUEB returns to the pool on Saturday for a doubleheader at Santa Clara University's Sullivan Aquatic Center. The Pioneers take on the host Broncos at 9:30 a.m. before their second showdown of the season with Fresno Pacific at 3 p.m.