FRESNO, Calif. --  The Sonoma State women's water polo team traveled down to Fresno to take on the Sunbirds of Fresno Pacific in a non-conference match, winning 11-8.  The Seawolves beat the Sunbirds for the second time this season and improve to 5-11 on the season.

Sonoma scored first within the first 20 seconds on a shot from the hot-hand of Bridgette Souza.  FPU evened the score at 1-1 at the 3:33 mark when Jamie Lugo put one in the back of the cage.  The Seawolves took the lead at the end of the first quarter on a goal by Lindsay Rangel.

The second quarter started off slow for both teams until SSU rallied off two striaght points in a 1:58 span, taking a 4-1 lead.  Sonoma scored once more in the second quarter while the Sunbirds scored twice, including a goal from Dani Mortimer with two seconds left in the half, but Fresno Pacific would trail 5-3 at halftime.

The third quarter would start with an FPU goal to bring them within one goal, 5-4.  However, the Seawolves would score two more, including Rangel's second goal of the match with one second remaining to take a 7-4 lead going into the final eight minutes.

The Sunbirds scored first in the fourth quarter to narrow the deficit to two at 7-5.  SSU would come right back to score three in a row in a span of 2:45 to take an 11-5 lead with 2:44 remaining in the match.  Fresno Pacific would try to make a late-quarter comeback, but the six point deficit would prove to be to much as the Seawolves would take the win, 11-8.

Alexa May, Brittny Hummel, Rangel, and Souza led the way with two goals each.  Colette Reid, Caitlin Risden, and Malina Lorring contributed one apiece for the Seawolves. 

For the Sunbirds, Malory Rettig, Lugo, and Mortimer netted two goals.  Krista Loper and Nicolette Haley threw in one.

Ariel Lockshaw got the start for the Seawolves, saving nine balls from entering the cage, accompanied by an assist and a steal.  Courtney Risden played the last 2:42 in the cage, allowing three goals.

Sonoma State will be back in action against 15th-ranked UC Davis on Saturday at 2:00 p.m in Davis.