ROHNERT PARK, Calif- The Sonoma State women's water polo team continued their knack for late game comebacks this rainy Sunday afternoon at the final day of the Seawolf Splash, defeating California Lutheran and Cal State Monterey Bay by identical scores of 11-8. The undefeated performance over the weekend improves the Seawolf record to 4-5.

In the morning game, the Seawolves jumped out to an early lead over the Regals, with two quick goals by Samantha Mullins and Laurel Stricklin giving Sonoma a 2-0 advantage. Cal Lutheran would answer back with three straight goals to close out the first period with a 3-2 lead.

Sonoma would add five more goals in periods two and three, and Cal Lutheran posted four more goals, sending the game tied up at 7-7 heading into the fourth quarter.

Mullins would break the 7-7 tie when she netted her third goal of the game with 6:31 remaining.  However, the Regals responded, as Ashley Bentz slipped a score past Seawolf goalkeeper Lysa Lombard, evening the match at 8-8.  Sonoma then proceeded to score three goals in the final four minutes, two by Laurel Stricklin to give her a hat trick.

In Game two, defense was the theme in the first half as Sonoma State and Cal State Monterey Bay only managed to combine for five goals, with the Otters leading at the half 3-2. Then the Seawolves exploded for eight goals in the third quarter to effectively put the game out of reach.

After falling down 4-2 early in the third, Sonoma State went on an 8-0 run over the next five minutes to take a commanding 10-4 lead. Stricklin posted a hat trick in that span pushing her total to four for the game, and Holly Armijo and Brooke Smith each chipped in two goals a piece during the offensive onslaught.

Lysa Lombard collected 12 saves, and Emily pearce handed out two assists and chipped in a goal for the Seawolves.

Nikki Smart, Chloe McRae and Katie Sowul lead the way for the Otters with a combined six goals.

Sonoma State is on hiatus until they head to Davis Mar. 7 when they compete in the UC Davis tournament.

Match Statistics

Game 1

SSU Scoring: Samantha Mullins (3), Laurel Stricklin (3), Emily Pearce (1), Jackie Snyder (1), Andrea Brookbank (1), Courtney Rider (1), Ashley Espinola (1)

SSU Goalie Saves: Lysa Lombard (7)

Game 2

SSU Scoring: Laurel Stricklin (4), Holly Armijo (2), Brooke Smith (2), Emily Pearce (1), Lauren Smith (1), Samantha Mullins (1)

SSU Goalie Saves: Lysa Lombard (12)