2018 TINA FINALI INVITATIONAL
Samuelson Aquatic Center
Thousand Oaks, Calif.

Friday, Feb. 23 
Cal State East Bay (4-5) vs. Cal Lutheran (2-0)
4:00 p.m. • Live Stats

Saturday, Feb. 24
CSUEB vs. Asuza Pacific (5-3)
11:00 a.m. • Live Stats
CSUEB vs. Occidental (0-1)
4:00 p.m. • Live Stats

Sunday, Feb. 25
CSUEB vs. University of Toronto (1-8)
10:00 a.m. • Live Stats

HAYWARD, Calif. -- Following an impressive performance navigating an extremely difficult schedule through the first month of the season, the Cal State East Bay water polo team was ranked in this week's Collegiate Water Polo Association national coaches poll for the first time in 2018, occupying the No. 25 position.

With a 4-5 record, the Pioneers head to Thousand Oaks this weekend to play four matches at the annual Tina Finali Invitational, hosted by Cal Lutheran. They take on the Regals Friday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. to open the tournament. East Bay then plays a doubleheader Saturday with match-ups against Azusa Pacific at 11:00 a.m. and Occidental at 4:00 p.m. The Pioneers battle the University of Toronto Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m. before heading back home. 

CSUEB has a a 12-1 record at this event over the last three seasons, with their last defeat coming back in 2015 at the hands of APU.

The 2018 Pioneers enter the weekend coming off their most impressive win of the year, a 9-8 victory over No. 23 Fresno State last Saturday up at UC Davis. It was the third time East Bay has beaten a Division I school this season. 

Makenna Nation delivered another outstanding effort, making nine saves and captaining an impressive defensive performance against the Bulldogs. Seven different Pioneers scored in the game, with Brooke Hodgkinson and Adrien Van Dyke leading the way with two goals apiece. 

Auriel Bill had a goal, an assist, and a steal against Fresno State. She continues to lead the Pioneers and rank among the Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) leaders in all three categories, and she's currently second in the conference with 30 total points.

Cal Lutheran has played just two games so far this season, defeating Carthage, 12-4, and Cal State Monterey Bay, 6-2. The Pioneers prevailed over the Regals in a tight game, 9-7, when the teams met last year at this event. 

APU is off to a strong start to 2018 and appears to have a formidable squad. They have a 16-12 win over Fresno Pacific and very close losses to No. 15 UC San Diego and No. 19 Cal State Northridge under their belt, and the Cougars are coming off blowout victories over Redlands and Chapman last weekend. Britni Tisdale leads APU in points with 13 goals and 12 assists, and Britt Harris is tops on the team with 14 goals and 20 steals. 

Occidental has played just one game this year, losing Wednesday afternoon at Redlands by a score of 13-6. Monica Chernoff had two goals and an assist for the Tigers in that game. The Pioneers have played Occidental four times over the last four years, winning all four match-ups. 

Toronto is deep into its season, having played a full Fall schedule as part of the Ontario University Athletics conference. Since the start of January, they have lost to several top-25 teams, and last weekend picked up their first win of 2018 against Redlands.