BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The 2023 season for the Cal State East Bay women's water polo team officially started Saturday in the Hoosier Invite at Counsilman-Billingsley Aquatic Center. In the opener for the Pioneers, they fell 18-3 to No. 18 Harvard, but bounced back in their second match of the day with a 14-12 double overtime win over McKendree. 
 

MATCH SUMMARY 1

No. 18 Harvard 18, Cal State East Bay 3
The Crimson jumped out to an early lead with five unanswered goals in the opening quarter. Cal State East Bay got on the board early in quarter two when Hope Grantham netted her first goal as a Pioneer. Even with the goal, Harvard comfortably controlled the match. Bailey Barlow added her first goal of the season later in the match, and Grantham tallied her second goal in the fourth quarter. 

Elise Whitworth had a pair of assists in the match, and had four total shots. Also with four shots for the Pioneers were Rachel Heredia and Grantham.

For Harvard with four goals each were Heidi Heffelfinger and Grace Thawley. 
 

MATCH SUMMARY 2

Cal State East Bay 14, McKendree 12
The first three quarters saw the Pioneers outscore the Bearcats, 3-2, and take a 9-6 lead into the fourth. McKendree made a comeback in the fourth quarter, including three goals in the final 2:20 of regulation to force overtime. 

Grantham and Barlow scored the first two goals of the first overtime for a 13-11 lead. The Bearcats answered with a goal late in the frame, but in the second overtime, Whitworth scored her fourth goal of the match to extend CSUEB's lead to 14-12. By holding the Bearcats scoreless in the second overtime, Cal State East Bay finished with a 14-12 win.

Whitworth and Jordan Jarandson each finished with four goals in the match, and Barlow had three. Luna Sarmiento had three assists. 

Daniela Passoni picked up her first win in net for 2023 with 16 saves. 

Abigail Burton was McKendree's leading goal scorer with four goals in the match. 
 

UP NEXT FOR CAL STATE EAST BAY

THe Pioneers play two more matches in the Hoosier Invite on Sunday. The first of the two starts at 9:45 a.m. ET against No. 22-t Marist and the second match for CSUEB starts at 12:30 p.m. ET against Villanova.