Box Score (PDF)

REDLANDS, Calif. -- The No. 25 ranked Cal State East Bay water polo team was victorious in the first game of its four-day road trip, defeating Redlands on Wednesday evening by a final score of 16-7.

The Pioneers have now won six of their last seven, improving to 10-7 for the season. Nine different players scored for CSUEB in the game and all three goalkeepers saw action. 

After Redlands netted the first goal of the game, the Pioneers scored in a flurry to grab an early advantage in the first quarter. Reigning WWPA Player of the Week Adrien Van Dyke put East Bay on the board three minutes into the contest. Auriel Bill made it 2-1 on the next possession, then Van Dyke scored her second goal the next time down the pool. Leilani Vazquez and Gina Sorenson got in on the fun as well, giving the Pioneers a 5-1 lead after one period. 

Brooke Hodgkinson and Maci Taylor both found the back of the cage in the first four minutes of the second period. That was all CSUEB managed before halftime, but they still led 7-3 at the break. 

Makenna Nation made three saves during the first half before handing over goalkeeping duties to Erika McFeggan. The senior played the entire third quarter and midway into the fourth, tallying seven saves. Skyler Ramirez played the last few minutes, making her third appearance of the season.

The Pioneers scored five times in the third quarter to grab a commanding lead. Cheyenne Pena got into the scoresheet to open the second half, and then Brittany Smith converted a five-meter penalty shot to make it 9-3. After Redlands finally answered back, Gabriella Garcia scored her first of the game and Bill and Vazquez each netted their second to put CSUEB ahead 12-4.

In the fourth period, Pena and Hodgkinson each picked of their second goal of the day, making it five Pioneers with multiple goals in the contest. Bill and Van Dyke each notched a hat trick as East Bay scored four times in the final quarter, continuing to pull away.

CSUEB now has a quick turnaround before the next game, as the team heads down to La Verne for an 11:00 a.m. contest Thursday morning.