BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - By splitting two matches on Sunday in the Hoosier Invite, the Cal State East Bay women's water polo team has started the 2023 season 2-2. The Pioneers dropped their first match on Sunday, 12-7 to Marist, but responded with an 8-7 win against Villanova.
No. 22-t Marist 12, Cal State East Bay 7
Power play goals by
Hannah Peercy and
Bailey Barlow in the first half, and an even strength goal from
Rachel Heredia kept the match even until the Red Foxes got a goal late in the half for a 4-3 halftime lead. Although the Pioneers got the first two goals of the second half, Marist scored seven straight goals over a stretch that covered through the remainder of the third quarter and into the fourth.
Tavaya Martinezcuello and Peercy had a goal each in the fourth, it was not enough to challenge Marist late in the match.
Peercy finished with a pair of goals and one assist in the match.
Cal State East Bay 8, Villanova 7
A close battle between the Pioneers and Wildcats took place as CSUEB led 6-5 going into the final quarter.
Luna Sarmiento scored four of the six goals. The Pioneers added to their lead in the fourth on a goal from
Lola Gill for a 7-5 lead, but Villanova evened the match with goals at the 4:02 and 2:10 mark.
Breaking the 7-7 tie was
Jordan Jarandson, who netted her fifth goal of the season, and it became the winning goal for Cal State East Bay who won 8-7.
Cal State East Bay head coach
Lisa Cooper following the completion of action for the Pioneers in the Hoosier Invite:
"It was a great opening weekend. To end on a win against [Division I] Villanova in such a close, tight game showed our discipline. My team played with a lot of heart this weekend. It was a great learning experience and we grew through each of our games."
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UP NEXT FOR CAL STATE EAST BAY |
On Saturday, February 4, the Pioneers host No. 19 Pacific. The match will be the 2023 home opener for Cal State East Bay. First sprint is set for 11 a.m. from Pioneer Pool.
