SAN JOSE, Calif.—CSU Bakersfield opened the 2016 water polo season by splitting a pair of games at the LouStrong Memorial Saturday at San Jose State.

Cal State East Bay outscored the Roadrunners 6-2 in the second half as the Pioneers defeated CSUB 12-9 in the first game of the day. Ashley Paz led the 'Runners with three goals. Niki De Leon and Kristen Jensen each scored twice and drew two ejections for CSUB. Brittany Tyra made six saves.

“That wasn't the way we wanted to start the season,” said CSUB head coach Jason Gall. “A lot of things went wrong, but they are easily correctable and we can learn from them.”

The Roadrunners closed the day against Sonoma State and came away with an 11-3 victory. Paz recorded a second hat trick to pace the 'Runners. Jensen scored twice again while Nicola Barrett posted two goals. Courtney Wahlstrom got the start in goal and was credited with 12 saves.

“We played much better defense and things clicked a little better on offense,” Gall said. “We need to keep better each game.”

CSUB continues play at the LouStrong Memorial Sunday when the Roadrunners face No. 9 UC Davis at 8 a.m. and No. 4 California at 2:40 p.m.

~www.GoRunners.com~

GAME 1

Cal State East Bay                  2 4 3 3   12

CSUB                                     4 3 1 1   9            

East Bay Goals-Cross 3, Dettloff 2, Lightbody 2, Carroll 1, Hatzer 1, Williams 1, Rushforth 1, Mackell 1,

CSUB Goals-Paz 3, Jensen 2, De Leon 2, Barrett 1, Helberg 1

East Bay Saves-Vaughn 10

CSUB Saves-Tyra 6

GAME 2

CSUB                                1 0 1 1   3

Sonoma State                    3 2 2 4   11

CSUB Goals—Paz 3, Jensen 2, Barrett 2, De Leon 1, Ream 1, Wulf 1, Versfeld 1

Sonoma State Goals-Robinson 1, Lewis 1, Herrera 1

CSUB Saves-Wahlstrom 12

Sonoma State Saves-Plorin 6