BAKERSFIELD, Calif- Coming off two tough losses, the Sonoma State water polo squad went toe-for-toe with Cal State San Bernardino in a hard fought battle.  The No. 7-seed Seawolves came up big in the final quarter to defeat the No. 8-seed Coyotes 7-5 in the final match of the season for both teams.  Sonoma State finishes the year at 9-27 overall against a schedule that featured a strong number of ranked opponents.

From the get-go, this match had the feel of a classic back and forth affair.  Laura Kunz spilled first blood for Sonoma State midway through the first quarter.  However, only 15 seconds later, Kaitlin Hartman answered right back to knot the score even at 1-1.  With only five seconds left, Misty Vu converted a penalty shot to put the Coyotes on top through one period.

In the second quarter, the Seawolves turned up the heat on defense, keeping the Coyotes off the board.  Laurel Stricklin showed CSU San Bernardino why she is the school's all-time leading scorer by powering in a pair of goals in a span of three minutes, to give Sonoma State the 3-2 lead going in at half.

Like the first period, the Seawolves scored first in the third frame off a shot from Holly Armijio 1:11 into the second half to take the 4-2 lead.  The Coyotes would rally for two goals from Emily Hove and Vu to close once again knot the score even at 4-4.

Sonoma State saved its best stuff for the final frame, coming up huge on offense.  Less than a minute into the period, Brooke Smith put Sonoma State ahead for good after scoring her first and only goal of the match.  The Seawolves would score two more goals from Kelsey Lowy and Lindsay Rangel to build the largest lead at three.  The Coyotes would put one more run on the board with only 30 seconds remaining, but Sonoma State held on to win 7-5.

The Seawolves received consistent play up and down the lineup, with six different players scoring.  Stricklin led all scorers with two goals.  Gina Uliana finished with eight saves in the cage, keeping the Coyotes from putting too much on the board.

Hartman scored two goals for the Coyotes, who had four different players put up points.  Bryanna Burns had 11 saves for CSU San Bernardino.

Stricklin earned WWPA All-Tournament First Team honors for her efforts this weekend.

The Seawolves conclude their season finishing seventh in the WWPA.  Their overall record stands at 9-27 with a 5-13 mark in the conference.