DAVIS, Calif., -- The Cal State East Bay water polo team knocked off the #23 Fresno State Bulldogs, 9-8 on Saturday morning, February 17 in the UC Davis Aggie Shootout in the Schaal Aquatics Center.
 
The Pioneers improved to 4-5 on the season as they pick up their first victory over a ranked opponent through six tries this season.
 
East Bay used an explosive third period in which they outscored Fresno State, 4-1 to take the lead that they would never relinquish.
 
Junior Brooke Hodgkinson (Vista, Calif.) and Freshman Van Dyke Adrien (Regina, SK, Canada) both paced the Pioneers with two goals apiece. Van Dyke also won two of the sprints for East Bay.
 
It was CSUEB who lit up the scoreboard first as senior Leilani Vazquez (Fullerton, Calif.) found the back of the cage to open the game. But the Bulldogs would respond with three consecutive goals to take a, 3-1 lead in the early portion of the second period.
 
East Bay would use consecutive goals in the second, third and final periods of the match to help claim the huge upset win. East Bay's defense, led by Junior goalkeeper Makenna Nation (Oceanside. Calif.), was excellent in the box. Nation recorded nine saves and two steals  
 
 
Freshman Maci Taylor (Henderson, Nev.) led the Pioneers with two assists, the only Pioneer with a multi-assists performance. Junior Brittany Smith (Stockton, Calif.) added a goal midway through the second period.
 
The sophomore duo of Briana Ruiz (Riverside, Calif.) and Auriel Bill (Estevan, SK, Canada) each added a goal and an assist for East Bay. Bill tacked in a steal for the Pioneers.
 
Freshman Ivanna Anderson (La Paz, Mexico) also chipped in a goal and a steal. Sophomore Gina Sorensen (Irvine, Calif.) and Senior Beverly Ayers (Antioch, Calif.) finished with a steal each. Junior Cheyenne Bradley (San Diego, Calif.) compiled two steals for East Bay.
 
The Pioneers have the week off before heading to Thousand Oaks to participate in the four matches against Cal Lutheran, Azuza Pacific, Occidental and the University of Toronto in the Tina Finali Invitational. The Invitational will begin Friday, February 23 at the Samuelson Aquatic Center.