ROHNERT PARK-- Lindsay Rangel started off the season with the hot hand, scoring four goals in the season-opener, leading the Sonoma State women's water polo team to a 13-12 overtime victory over Cal State Monterey Bay.  This is the third season in a row where Sonoma State has won their first match, including a 9-8 overtime win over Fresno Pacfic last season.  The Seawolves open the 2013 season with a 1-0, 1-0 WWPA record.

After a defensive battle in the first four minutes of play, Rangel was able to break the defense and score her first goal of the game, giving Sonoma State an early 1-0 lead.  Seventeen seconds later, Brittny Hummel followed suit, netting a goal to give SSU a 2-0 lead.  However, Cal State Monterey Bay would not be silened, as the Otters came back to score back-to-back goals to knot the game at 2-2.  Rangels second goal would give Sonoma State a 3-2 edge at the end of the first quarter.  Goals were a-plenty in the second quarter as the two teams combined for a total of nine goals to leave the game tied at 7-7 going into halftime. 

The third quarter looked similar to the opening period as Sonoma State threw two goals into the back of the cage, to Cal State Monterey Bay's one goal, giving SSU a 9-8 advantage going into the final quarter.  Sonoma State led by as many as two points, at 10-8, but CSU Monterey Bay would fight back to score three goals in a row to take the 11-10 lead with 1:16 remaining in regulation.  Once again it was Rangel who would be the Seawolves saving grace as she fired one into the back of the cage to bring to score to 11-11 and send the game to overtime.

The Otters were able to slip one passed the defense of SSU goalkeeper Ariel Lockshaw to take a 12-11 lead after one overtime period.  Sonoma State did not back down, as Rangel was once again able to rattle the cage early in the second overtime, bringing the score to a 12-12 tie with 2:14 remaining.  It was freshman Jessica Becker who was able to put it away for Sonoma State and score the game-winning goal.  With 1:14 remaining in the second overtime period, Becker fired in the eventual game-winning goal that put Sonoma State ahead 13-12. 

Alexa May had a hat trick for the Seawolves, in addition to the aforementioned four goals by Rangel.  Jessica Stansfield was able to score twice in the victory, while Laura Kunz and Brittny Hummel each pitched in one goal.  Freshmen Noelle Herrera and Becker each netted their first collegiate goals.

Sonoma State will take part in the UC Santa Barbara Winter Invite next weekend on both Saturday, Jan. 26th and Sunday, Jan 27th.  Their first match will be against UC Santa Barbara on Saturday at 11:20 am.  The Seawolves were selected to finish sixth in the WWPA this season in the 2013 WWPA Preseason Coaches poll released Wednesday, Jan. 16.