SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- A difficult weekend slate for the Sonoma State water polo team got off to a choppy start on Saturday as the Seawolves dropped a pair of matches to open up the 2015 UCSB Winter Invitational.  Following a 9-3 defeat to California Baptist in the afternoon, the Seawolves were on the wrong end of a 13-6 decision to Azusa Pacific in the evening.  The losses drop Sonoma to 1-3 on the season with big matches against #16 Loyola Marymount and #2 UCLA looming on Sunday.

California Baptist 9, Sonoma State 3

In their opener, the Seawolves had a hard time finding any offensive spark, going the first period without a goal and not hitting net until four Lancers had scored already.  Though Sonoma State would score two in succession to make it 4-2, they'd endure another dry spell and, in effect, allow California Baptist to cruise to victory.

Carleigh Robinson had two of the Seawolves' three goals with Shannon Baer tallying the other.  Andrea Mallul was credited with seven saves in the defeat.

Azusa Pacific 13, Sonoma State 6

While the Seawolves' offense would double in the nightcap, it would come at the expense of the defense as the Cougars tallied 13 goals, including five in the fourth quarter. Sonoma State hung with APU through the first quarter and a half, trailing just 3-2 before a Cougar goal with 5:38 to go in the second period gave them a two-goal cushion.  The lead would get no smaller than that the rest of the way as the Cougars outscored the Seawolves 6-2 down the stretch to pull away.  

Noelle Herrera and Robinson each had two goals to lead Sonoma State.  Mallul made five saves in goal.

The task gets no easier tomorrow for the Seawolves as they take on two of the nation's elite squads in Loyola Marymount and UCLA, the alma mater of head coach Coralie Simmons.