SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The No. 20 CSUB water polo picked up a pair of important WWPA conference victories Sunday at the Bronco Invitational hosted by Santa Clara University. CSUB (16-18, 8-3 WWPA) beat the host Broncos, 13-12, in overtime and then handed the Cal State San Bernardino Coyotes a 9-6 loss in the afternoon session. This concludes the 2010 conference season for the Roadrunners who will host the WWPA Championship Apr. 30-May 2 at the Hillman Aquatic Center.

team split a pair of contests in the opening day of the Bronco Invitational hosted by Santa Clara University at the Sullivan Aquatic Center Saturday. The Roadrunners (14–18, 6–3 WWPA) won a WWPA conference match over Sonoma State, 10–8, but dropped the afternoon match to No. 6 San Jose State, 13–9.

After jumping out to an early 5-2 first quarter lead over the Broncos, CSUB was shutout in the second and allowed five goals to trail, 7-5, at the break. A strong second half gave CSUB the lead with just 21 seconds to go, 11-10, but Santa Clara scored to force extra time. In the first overtime, freshman Brittani Marquez drew a five-meter penalty shot that senior Alyson Moss converted to put the 'Runners up, 12-11. After Santa Clara would tie the game, freshman Sam Shead converted on a 6-on-5 to give CSUB the conference victory.

Moss and sophomore Kaitlin Torres each scored five goals in the game while Shead added a pair including the game winner. Freshman Jessica Browning had one goal and classmate Megan Pezzolla had 11 blocks in goal. Senior Becky Seelos had three steals and drew three ejections. Moss had a pair of steals as did classmate C.J. Longeuay who also added three assists. Sophomore Malia Pahoa drew four ejections.

"This was a difficult game for us," said Head Coach Jason Gall. "We were feeling pretty good after the first quarter but couldn't score in the second, thats when we let them back in it. In the end, it was a good conference win for us and a very important one as well."

CSUB gained an early 5-2 halftime advantage against Cal State San Bernardino. Things got interesting in the fourth quarter when the Coyotes scored to close the gap to 7-6 in favor of the Roadrunners. But CSUB responded with two goals to secure the win. Moss scored three goals to lead the way. Senior Jessica Manke had two while Pahoa, Shead, Browning and sophomore Kellie Goodwin had one. In goal, Pezzolla had 11 blocks. Longeuay had four assists, Moss tallied three steals and Browning drew two ejections.

"It was good to come away with the two conference wins today," said Gall. "We are going to work on a few things next week but we feel pretty good heading into the conference tournament. I was happy with the three wins this weekend."

CSUB concludes its 2010 regular season with a non-conference road contest against Long Beach State on Saturday, Apr. 17, at noon.

Goals:
CSUB - Alyson Moss (5), Kaitlin Torres (5), Sam Shead (2), Jessica Browning (1).