SAN DIEGO, Calif. - A victory over No. 18 UC San Diego, the tournament host, highlighted CSU Bakersfield water polo action on day one of the Triton Invitational Saturday.

The Roadrunners came from behind to defeat the Tritons 12-11 during afternoon play. Trailing 9-8 at the start of the fourth quarter, CSUB rallied to tie the match on a Sam Shead (Jr., Johannesburg, South Africa, Rand Park HS) goal with 4:04 to play. Janelle Shelby (Fr., San Diego, Calif., Grossmont HS) scored what proved to be the gamewinner 36 seconds later. Taylor Hanson (So., Modesto, Calif., Johansen HS) scored an insurance goal at the 1:57 mark.

The Tritons scored a power play goal with 23 seconds remaining. The Roadrunners won the ensuing faceoff and were able to run the clock out for the victory. Pezzola made 10 saves, including a block with 3:48 of the fourth quarter when the game was still tied.

Three CSUB players; Jessica Browning (Jr., Lake Forest, Calif., El Toro HS), Shead, and Janelle Shelby (Fr., San Diego, Calif., Grossmont HS) each recorded hat tricks. Hanson added two tallies.

The Roadrunners fell to No. 5 Arizona State 16-7 in morning opener.  CSUB and the Sun Devils were tied 3-3 after the first period before ASU outscored the Roadrunners 4-1 in the second periord to take a 7-4 halftime lead.  Arizona State put the game way with a 5-2 outburst in the third quarter. Saturday's contest marked the third consecutive weekend in which ASU defeated CSUB, a future matchup in the MPSF.

Shannon McKenzie (R-Jr., Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., Rancho Cucamonga HS) and Amanda Nesbit (Jr. Chino Hills, Calif., Chino Hills HS) each scored two goals to lead the Roadrunners.  Megan Pezzolla (Jr., Upland, Calif., Bonita HS) made eight saves and three steals.

“There is no doubt we are getting better and getting more comfortable and confident playing against teams at Arizona State's level,” said CSUB head coach Jason Gall. “Our offense is starting to gel, but we still need to improve on our defense.”

The Roadrunners continue tournament action Sunday when CSUB plays the winner of the match between Santa Clara and Cal State East Bay at 10:40 a.m.

No. 5 Arizona State 16, CSU Bakersfield 7
                                  1    2    3    4    F
CSU Bakersfield        3    1    2    1     7
Arizona State             3    4    5    4    16
CSUB Goals        Shannon McKenzie 2, Amanda Nesbit 2, Bianca Adams, 1,                                                  Jessica Browning 1, Taylor Hanson 1 

Arizona State Goals    Annabelle Carter 4, Alicia Brightwell 3, Shannon Haas 2,                                                       Mariam Salluom 2, Kelsey White 2, Petra Pardi 1, Amanda Young                                         1, Anna Kertes 1
CSUB Saves               Megan Pezzolla 8
Arizona State Goals    Not Provided

CSU Bakersfield 12, UC San Diego 11
                                   1    2    3    4    F
UC San Diego            3    3    2    3    11
CSU Bakersifeld         2    5    1    4    12

CSUB Goals        Jessica Browning 3, Sam Shead 3, Janelle Shelby 3, Taylor Hanson 2                                   Shannon McKenzie 1

UCSD Goals        Jessica Tran 3, Sarah Lizotte 3, Leah Gonzales 2, Kirsten Bates 1,                                        Katherine Biehle 1, Natalie Peng 1         

CSUB Saves        Megan Pezzolla 10

UCSD Saves        Not provided

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