BOX SCORE

Stockton, CA – The Wagner College water polo team won its second concecutive game at the Pacific Invite today as the Seahawks overtook the Pioneers of Cal State East Bay in a nailbiting 11-10 overtime win.  After earning a 13-5 victory over Azuza Pacific earlier in the day, the Seahawks improve to an overall record of 2-3.  

After fallling behind by a 2-0 count to the Pioneers in the first three minutes, the Seahawks evened the score with goals from senior Lauren French (Colmar, PA / North Penn) and freshman Michelle Greenough (Davis, CA / Davis).  The score remained tied at 2-2 until the final 30 seconds of the quarter when sophomore Kaylee Ginnane (Tampa, FL / Coronado, CA) hit the back of the net on a penalty shot.

With the Seahawks up by one heading into the secondquarter, the game continued in a volley of lead changes.  After penetrating the Pioneer defense, sophomore Sidney Hoshko (Coronado, CA / Coronado, CA) sent the Green & White up by two after sailing one over the head of East Bay goalie Jayme Pekarske.  The two-goal lead lasted just 20 seconds, however, as a goal by East Bay's Carly Clark put the Pioneers back within one. 

Less than a minute later, junior Claire Pierce knocked in her first of six goals to tie the game at 4-4 with 4:00 remaining in the half.  Pierce's goal sent the Pioneers on a scoring run as two more East Bay shots found the back of the net, setting the score at 6-4 in favor of Cal State at halftime.

After the break, Wagner came out battling as Stockton native Jessica Burdge (Stockton, CA / St. Mary's) placed one between the pipes less than a minute into the quarter.  Thirty seconds later, Hoshko knocked in her second point of the match to tie the score again at 6-6.  Responding quickly, East Bay's Erica Cran put the Pioneers back up by one with a goal of her own.  With 5:14 remaining to play in the third, freshman Rachel Burns (Greenlane, Auckland, New Zealand / Diocesan School for Girls) notched her first collegiate goal to tie the game for the fourth time.

The Seahawk defense remained strong for the following 2:30 until a Sophie Armstrong shot found its way into the upper corner to put the Pioneers ahead 8-7 after three quarters.

Twenty-four seconds into the fourth quarter, senior Molly Robinson (Lansdale, PA / North Penn) sent the Seahawks on a three-goal scoring run.  Following Robinson's swift goal, Burns and Ginnane each placed one in the net to put Wagner up 10-8.  With two minutes remaining in regulation, Pierce sent her fifth goal behind the Wagner defense to put the Pioneers within one.  With a minute to play, Pierce slammed in her sixth point of the game to set the score at 10-10 as the game headed into overtime.

One minute into the first overtime period, Robinson sent a wicked shot into the corner and past East Bay's Pekarske to set the Seahawks up 11-10.  The Wagner defense held strong throughout the remainder of the first and second overtime periods and the Seahawks clinched the 11-10 victory.

Junior Laura Karbach (Abington, PA / Germantown Academy) recorded 11 blocks in the win as East Bay's Pakarske recorded 10.

Wagner is back in action tomorrow at 11:00 AM EST when they will face the hosting Tigers of Pacific.  The game can be viewed free of charge through Pacific's live stream link http://www.pacifictigers.com/sports/w-wpolo/2011-12/WWP_Live_Streaming.

Following the conclusion of the Pacific match, the Seahawks are scheduled to tackle Fresno Pacific at 3:30 PM EST.