(Written by Gian D'Ambra, SSU Sports Information Student Assistant)

HAYWARD, Calif. -- After a hard-fought defensive battle with Cal State East Bay in which the Sonoma State women's water polo team fell on the losing end of a 5-3 score, the Seawolves (3-12) came back to defeat Mercyhurst 8-7 to split a Sunday doubleheader at Pioneer Pool in Hayward.

Cal State East Bay 5, Sonoma State 3

In the first game on Sunday against fellow WWPA member Cal State East Bay, Sonoma State held up well on defense, but couldn't find an offensive rhythm and fell in the end by the score of 5-3.
    
After the first period, the momentum was fully in the Pioneers favor.  With a score of 3-0, the Seawolves needed a few goals to get back into this one.  Nicole Browning provided one of those goals with just under seven minutes left in the first half, but that would end the Seawolves scoring until the third quarter.
    
The first half ended 5-1 in favor of the Pioneers, who wouldn't extend their lead at all in the second half.  Alexa May netted a third quarter goal and Carleigh Robinson added a fourth quarter goal to cut the Pioneer lead in half with 4:40 left in regulation.  All scoring ended there, as the game finished 5-3.  Kim Covert also added eight saves this game.

Sonoma State 8, Mercyhurst 7
    
Sonoma State played Mercyhurst in their second game of the day at 2:30 pm.  Andrea Mallul got the start in place of Kim Covert in this one and only allowed seven goals on 13 attempts by Mercyhurst.  She did her part, and so did the Seawolf offense, giving them their third win of the year, 8-7.
    
Less than a minute into the game, Caitlin Risden netted her first of three goals.  That would finish Sonoma State's scoring in the first, which ended 3-1 in favor of Mercyhurst.  Shannon Baer put in two goals on two shot attempts in the second quarter, and cut the Mercyhurst lead to 4-3 at the halftime break.
    
That lead was pushed to 5-3 early in the third quarter, but three straight Seawolf goals gave them a 6-5 lead, one they wouldn't surrender. Risden scored two consecutive goals to give Sonoma State the lead after Tessa deRecat put in a goal of her own.
    
Lexii Morabito extended the Seawolves' lead to 7-5 with her only goal of the game to start the fourth quarter.  Mercyhurst and Sonoma State traded the next three goals and finished the game with the Seawolves on top, 8-7. Noelle Herrera scored the last Seawolf goal.
    
Sonoma State next plays against Cal State San Bernardino on Friday in Rohnert Park at the Dr. G Edward Rudloff Pool. First sprint is scheduled for 3:00 pm.