Box Score

ROHNERT PARK, Calif. – The Cal State East Bay water polo team secured an 8-5 victory in their season finale match against Western Water Polo Association opponent Sonoma State at Dr. G. Edwards Rudloff Pool on Saturday, April 15.
 
The Pioneers (12-12, 2-1 WWPA) picked up their second consecutive win to improve their seeding for the upcoming WWPA Championships on the horizon with the road win over the Seawolves (8-18, 0-2 WWPA).
 
In winning the crucial designated conference game, East Bay also avenged a 10-11 home loss to Sonoma State on March 31 at Pioneer Pool. With the win CSUEB also claimed the season series advantage 2-1.
 
Senior Brandi Carroll and freshman Auriel Bill carried the Pioneers offensive attack scoring six of the eight East Bay goals. East Bay held the shot advantage over Sonoma State 36-22.
 
Brandi Carroll tied the team high with three goals scored and an assist. Carroll put the Pioneers on the board first with the game opening penalty goal with 4:16 left to play in the first period. CSUEB went 3-for-3 in five-meter penalty shots as Carroll also went 4-0 in opening quarter sprints.
 
Auriel Bill, the two-time WWPA Player of the Week and reigning WWPA player off the week, also tallied three goals scored for CSUEB with an assists and four steals. Bill added the Pioneers final score of the first half with a 5-meter penalty goal with 3:21 left in the opening period as East Bay led 2-2 at halftime.
 
Head Coach Lisa Cooper's intermission adjustments were prevalent as the Pioneers found the back of the cage six times in the final two corners. CSUEB ran off three straight goals to open of up the second half of action.
 
Carroll broke the tie with a penalty goal at the 7:45 mark in the third quarter. Then Bill recorded back-to-back scores at the 6:49 mark and again with 4:48 left to play to put East Bay ahead 5-2.
 
Sonoma State would rally to make it 5-4 late in the third period but with three consecutive goals by the Pioneers, including two from Gabriella Garcia and Carroll.
 
Caroll scored her third and final goal with 6:16 left in the game. Then Garcia went on to score points at the 5:32 and 3:30 marks. The Seawolves added one last goal in the final seconds of action as East Bay came away with the 8-5 road win.
 
Allicia Tully compiled two assists and two steals for East Bay, Rocio Fesembeck also added three steals and Cheyenne Brady recorded two steals as well for the Pioneers.
 
Senior goalie Nikki Vaughn, who is leading the conference with 9.75 saves per game and a .549 save percentage, racked up 12 saves and four steals.
 
The Pioneers will now prepare for the WWPA Championships in Geneva, Ohio at the Spire Institute April 28-30.