BOX SCORE (PDF)

HAYWARD, Calif. -- The Cal State East Bay water polo team got back in the win column Saturday on a gorgeous afternoon at Pioneer Pool, hanging on to defeat Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) rival Sonoma State by a final score of 8-7.

The Pioneers led by four after the third quarter and held off a late comeback by the Seawolves, turning in outstanding defense down the stretch to even up their record at 11-11.

Things got off to a great start for the Pioneers, as Adrien Van Dyke notched a hat trick less than six minutes into the game. She scored all three of CSUEB's first-quarter goals, and senior goalkeeper Makenna Nation held the Seawolves scoreless over the first eight minutes.

Briana Ruiz scored her first goal of the day to open the second, but then the junior got three quick exclusions called against her, ending her afternoon. Sonoma finally got on the board and scored three times in the second period, but goals by Cheyenne Brady and Auriel Bill gave the Pioneers a 6-3 halftime lead.

Early in the third quarter, Bill netted her second and Van Dyke followed quickly with her fourth, and it appeared the Pioneers were poised to pull away with an 8-3 lead. 

Sonoma answered back to make it 8-4 heading into the final period, and it turned out that all the offense the Pioneers would manage for the day. Fortunately it was enough. The Seawolves found the back of the cage three times in rapid succession in the fourth, making the score 8-7 with nearly three (very tense) minutes left to play. 

The Pioneers weren't able to pad their lead, but they came up with several huge defensive stops in crunch time. They also took advantage of the fact that SSU went just 1-for-6 on powerplays and missed both their five-meter penalty attempts. Nation finished with six saves and four steals to earn the victory.

Van Dyke has now surpassed the 50-goal mark for the season. Today marked her sixth time this season with at least four games in a game, and it's her fourth straight hat trick.

Next up, the Pioneers return to action next week with two tough games, traveling to the South Bay on Thursday to visit Santa Clara before hosting conference rival UC San Diego Saturday afternoon.