Pezzolla Leads Roadrunners Into WWPA Semifinals

BAKERSFIELD , Calif.– CSUB water polo freshman goalkeeper Megan Pezzolla certainly didn't look the part of a player in her first Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) Championship contest. Pezzolla blocked 14 shots and allowed just four goals as the fourth–seeded Roadrunners (17–19) knocked off the No. 5 Santa Clara Broncos, 8–4, Friday at the Hillman Aquatic Center in the opening round of the WWPA Tournament.

Pezzolla, an All–Freshman and honorable mention WWPA selection, made numerous one–on–one saves and allowed the Roadrunner offense to build a five–goal cushion late in the third quarter. Sophomore second–team All–WWPA performer Kaitlin Torres had a hat trick and All–Freshman team member Jessica Browning added a pair. Senior Becky Seelos also had two tallies for CSUB and sophomore Malia Pahoa added one. While she didn't score a goal, first–team all–conference performer senior Alyson Moss was busy despite picking up two early ejections. She finished with a game–high four steals and had a pair of field blocks. Freshman Brittani Marquez drew five ejections offensively and added an assist. Senior C.J. Longeuay had three assists and added a steal.

Santa Clara had previously owned CSUB's number, beating the Roadrunners in each of the past two WWPA Championships prior to Friday's meeting.

“Today was really all about Megan (Pezzolla),” said Head Coach Jason Gall. “It was the type of performance that had people buzzing in the stands the entire rest of the afternoon.”

The No. 1 seed Loyola Marymount, who dismantled No. 8 Cal State San Bernardino 19–2 in its Friday game, awaits the Roadrunners tomorrow at 2:20 p.m. with a trip to the title game at stake. CSUB dropped its only meeting with LMU back on Mar. 12, a 10–7 decision in Los Angeles.

	1	2	3	4	Final
No. 5 Santa Clara	1	1	1	1	4
No. 4 CSU Bakersfield	1	3	3	1	8

Goals:
CSUB - Kaitlin Torres (3), Jessica Browning (2), Becky Seelos (2), Malia Pahoa (1).

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Players Mentioned

#18 Kaitlin Torres: Driver; 5' 5"; Freshman

#19 Jessica Browning: 2-Meter; 5' 10"; Freshman

#13 C.J. Longeuay: Defender; 5' 6"; Senior

#15 Brittani Marquez: Utility; 5' 6"; Freshman

#4 Alyson Moss: Driver; 5' 8"; Senior

#6 Malia Pahoa: Utility; 5' 5"; Sophomore

#1A Megan Pezzolla: GK; 5' 10"; Freshman

#7 Becky Seelos: Driver; 5' 6"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#18 Kaitlin Torres
: 5' 5"; Freshman
: Driver

#19 Jessica Browning
: 5' 10"; Freshman
: 2-Meter

#13 C.J. Longeuay
: 5' 6"; Senior
: Defender

#15 Brittani Marquez
: 5' 6"; Freshman
: Utility

#4 Alyson Moss
: 5' 8"; Senior
: Driver

#6 Malia Pahoa
: 5' 5"; Sophomore
: Utility

#1A Megan Pezzolla
: 5' 10"; Freshman
: GK

#7 Becky Seelos
: 5' 6"; Senior
: Driver