Box Score (PDF)

ROHNERT PARK, Calif. -- The Cal State East Bay water polo team picked up a crucial victory in Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) action on the road Saturday afternoon, defeating Sonoma State by a final score of 7-5.

It's the first victory of the season for the Pioneers in a designated conference game as they improve to 1-2 in WWPA play. It also snaps a three-game losing streak for CSUEB, and gives them a regular season sweep of the Seawolves. Both contests between the two squads were tight, low-scoring affairs. 

Adrien Van Dyke, who scored four of East Bay's eight goals in the last meeting with SSU, was held off the scoreboard on this day. However, the Pioneers generated offense with two goals each from Payton Bosque, Briana Ruiz, and Maci Taylor.

CSUEB clung to a narrow lead most of the first half, but the Seawolves scored twice in the last three minutes of the second period to send the teams into halftime tied 4-4. The Pioneers then turned in a dominant defense effort in the third to hold the home team scoreless over eight minutes. Meanwhile, Maeve Flynn scored at the end of the third quarter to give the Pioneers the lead back.

Bosque's second goal made it 6-4 early in the fourth, and Taylor's second made it 7-5 with just three minutes left to help seal the win. The CSUEB defense was stout in the final period, allowing just one Seawolf goal and maintaining the visitors' two-goal lead over the last few minutes. 

Full recap to follow once complete stats become available.