SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Cal State East Bay water polo team dropped a 10-7 decision to WWPA opponent Santa Clara on Saturday afternoon in the South Bay. The Pioneers (4-6) fell behind early and could not overcome a two-goal halftime lead for the Broncos, who evened up the season series at one game apiece.

East Bay fell behind 3-2 in the first quarter and were held to just one goal in the second period to head to the break trailing 5-3. The Pioneers responded to a Bronco goal to start the third period with a 6-on-5 goal to cut the lead back to two, 6-4. Santa Clara scored its second goal of the third quarter to take a 7-4 lead before East Bay sent the game into the fourth period with the Broncos leading 8-5.

Though the Pioneers matched Santa Clara goal-for-goal in the fourth frame, they could not get past goalie Stephanie Clements, who made five fourth-quarter saves to give the Broncos the win. 

Erica Crain and Kate McAfee paced the Pioneers with a pair of goals each. Carly Clark, Meghan Paschall and Sophie Armstrong all added scores in the loss. Senior goalie Jayme Pekarske posted nine goals for East Bay. 

Crain finished the weekend with six goals to lead East Bay, while Clark posted four this week. Pekarske capped the split with 15 saves. 

Cal State East Bay returns to action next Saturday when it hosts Cal State Bakersfield at Pioneer Pool at 3 p.m.


Scoring Summary

CSUEB: 2 1 2 2 = 7
SCU: 3 2 3 2 = 10

Goals
CSUEB: Crain 2, McAfee 2, Clark, Paschall, Armstrong
SCU: Allen 4, Safir 2, Bandimere, Norris, Eadington, Murphy

Saves
CSUEB: Pekarske 9
SCU: Clements 13