BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - The CSU Bakersfield water polo team split a pair of matches at the UC Santa Barbara Invitational to open the 2012 season Saturday.

No. 19 Cal State Northridge defeated the Roadrunners 10-4 in Saturday's first match.  The Matadors led 7-4 after three quarters before using a trio of tallies to secure the victory. Jessica Browning (Jr., Lake Forest, Calif., El Toro HS) scored two goals for CSUB. Shannon McKenzie (R-Jr., Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., Rancho Cucamonga HS) and Paige Tsuruda (So., Honolulu, Hawaii, Word of Life Academy) also scored for the Roadrunners. Megan Pezzolla (Jr., Upland, Calif., Bonita HS) made seven saves.

"I thought we did a lot of good things against Northridge," said CSUB head coach Jason Gall. "We were a little rusty with our shooting."

CSU Bakersfield defeated Santa Clara 10-9 in Saturday's second match. Janelle Shelby (Fr., San Diego, Calif., Grossmont HS) scored the gamewinner with under three minutes to play in the fourth quarter off a counter attack. Browning again paced the Roadrunners with four goals. Taylor Hanson (So., Modesto, Calif., Johansen HS)), and Sam Shead (Jr., Johannesburg, South Africa, Rand Park HS) each posted two goals for CSUB. McKenzie added two assists. 

Pezzolla charted 12 saves, making her the school career leader in the category. She has 748 after day one of the season, breaking the old mark of 731, set by Veronica Campbell (2007-08).

"We came out really strong against Santa Clara," Gall said. "The team came ready to play. It was nice to get a conference win in a close physical match."

The tournament continues for the Roadrunners Sunday with a match against future MPSF rival, No. 6 Arizona State at 8 a.m. and No. 17 UC Santa Barbara at 12:20 p.m.

No. 19 Cal State Northridge 10, CSU Bakersfield 4
            1    2    3    4    F
CSUN        2    3    2    3    10
CSUB        0    2    2    0     4

Northridge Goals:  Jenny Jamiso 3, Leah Janke 3, Lindsy Nelson 1, Melissa Doll 1, Jessica Goforth 1, Heidi Pettinger 1
Bakersfield Goals: Jessica Browning 2, Shannon McKenzie 1, Paige Tsuruda 1

Northridge Saves: N/a
Bakersfield Saves: Megan Pezzolla 7

CSU Bakersfield 10, Santa Clara 9
            1    2    3    4    F
CSUB   3    2    3    2   10 
SC       1    2    3    3    9

Santa Clara Goals: Marina Allen 3, Jessica Shusleo 2, Laura Burthas 1, Sarah Safier 1, Jammie Swartz 1, Julia Peters 1,
Bakersfield Goals: Browning 4, Taylor Hanson 2, Sam Shead 2 Janelle Shelby 2,

Santa Clara Saves: Stephanie Clements 8
Bakersfield Saves: Pezzolla 12.