PRINCETON BOX

ARIZONA STATE BOX

TEMPE, Ariz. — The No. RV Cal State East Bay water polo put forth two good performances on Saturday, but wrapped up this weekend's Cross Conference Challenge with two hard-fought defeats at Mona Plummer Aquatic Center.

The Pioneers dropped the opening game of the day to No. 15 Princeton, 11-9, before eventually falling to No. 10 Arizona State, 11-4. However, CSUEB (1-4) was in position to win both games in the second half.

No. 15 Princeton 11, No RV CSUEB 9

Cal State East Bay came out strong in the early contest against Princeton, but couldn't hold off the Tigers down the stretch. 

Senior Auriel Bill scored five goals with two assists, while sophomore goalkeeper Daniela Passoni tallied nine saves in the cage. 

Junior Adrien Van Dyke scored twice, while junior Payton Bosque and freshman Maci Taylor scored one goal apiece. Leti Mosqueda also recorded two assists for CSUEB, which led a nationally ranked opponent in the final minutes of the third period.

The Pioneers led by one at halftime, 4-3. A goal by Bosque, followed by Bill's goal off an assist from Mosqueda made it 6-4 with 3:17 left in the third.  

However, Princeton scored three-consecutive goals in the game's final minutes to escape with the win.

No. 10 Arizona State 11, No. RV CSUEB 4

In a game much closer than the final score indicates, the Pioneers played the No. 10-ranked team in the country to an even matchup into the third quarter. 

Cal State East Bay trailed by one at halftime, 4-3, and had momentum early on with behind spectacular play by Passoni, along with first-half goals from Mosqueda, senior Tahnee Trew and Bill. It would be the closest the Pioneers would get the rest of the way, however.

Passoni recorded seven saves, Bill finished with two goals, while senior Briana Ruiz and Bosque each had one assist. 

The Pioneers take next weekend off, and will gear up for a home showdown against Santa Clara on Saturday, Feb. 14, beginning at 4 p.m.