BAKERSFIELD, Calif- Riding in on a regular season finale victory, No. 7-seed Sonoma State spilled first blood at the Western Water Polo Association Championship defeating No. 10-seed Chapman University 15-8 to open competition.  Receiving solid contributions from up and down the roster, nine players scored for the Seawolves who led for the entire match.  Sonoma State will continue to build on their game one success as they advance to the quarterfinals to take on No. 2-seed UC San Diego.  First sprint is scheduled for 3:40 p.m.

From the start, Sonoma State established themselves as the dominant squad.  Laurel Stricklin got things going 1:39 into the match, putting the Seawolves on the board first.  From then on, it was a nonstop scoring frenzy as Sonoma State Brooke Smith, Emily Pearce, Holly Armijo, and Sarah Clauss rounded out the 5-0 first quarter lead for the Seawolves.

It was the same story in the second period as the Seawolves continued to pound in goal after goal against Chapman.  Heading into halftime on a 4-to-1 run, the Seawolves enjoyed a comfortable 10-3 lead over the Panthers.

Sonoma State rode out the second half only scoring five goals in the final two frames, but that would be more than enough in large part to an amazing first half of offense.

When the dust settled, nine different players scored for the Seawolves, who were led by Armijo and Clauss who each had three.  Pearce and Stricklin had two apiece as Smith, Kyleigh Shea, Cari Albers, Natalie Del Carlo and Ashley Espinola got on the board as well.

Gina Uliana was superb in the cage, racking up eight saves in three periods of play.  Fitting in with the theme of depth on the roster, Kat Musco finished the final frame at goalie finishing with a pair of saves.

The Panthers were led by Samantha Martin and her three goals as well as a pair from Arielle Worthington.  Aleica Wei had six goals in the game for Chapman.

Sonoma State will tango with No. 2-seed UC San Diego in the quarterfinals.  First sprint in that match is set for 3:40 p.m.