HAYWARD, Calif. -- The Cal State East Bay water polo team competes in Pioneer Pool for the first time this season on Saturday when they welcome in Santa Clara for their home opener. The Pioneers and Broncos will hit the tank at noon, rain or shine.

East Bay (1-0) is coming off a dramatic victory last weekend to open the regular season. The squad went on the road to Fresno Pacific and played an extremely tight, back-and-forth match against their conference rivals. 

The Sunbirds scored three fourth-quarter goals to force overtime, then took an 11-9 lead in the extra period. But the Pioneers rallied back, tying the score on two straight goals by senior Brittany Smith. Then with 17 seconds left, Adrien Van Dyke scored the game-winner on a power play, notching a hat trick in the process.

Senior Cheyenne Pena netted a pair of goals in the narrow victory, and newcomer Payton Bosque tallied two goals and an assist in her Pioneer debut. Junior Briana Ruiz paced the team with three assists and a couple steals. 

Freshman goalkeeper Daniela Passoni earned her first collegiate victory in the cage, finishing with four saves and a steal.

That was the 18th straight win for East Bay over FPU dating back 12 seasons. Their record against Santa Clara, however, is not nearly as one-sided, as the Pioneers and Broncos have played some thrilling games in recent years. Last season, CSUEB won two of the three matchups between the two squads, and all three games were decided by just one goal. 

The Broncos opened this season with a loss at UC Davis before picking up victories over a pair of WWPA teams in Fresno Pacific and Cal State Monterey Bay last week. Hannah Buck (6 goals, 5 steals), Lauren Paxton (6 goals, 3 assists), and Annie Eldredge (5 goals, 7 assists) have been the top scorers for SCU.