CSUEB women’s water polo falls to Brazil

Cal State East Bay’s women’s water polo team lost on Monday to the Brazilian National team 15-6 at Pioneer Pool in Hayward.

The exhibition match was part of a United States tour for Brazil who have not qualified for the Olympic Games since 1996 when they finished in 12th place. Last season Brazil finished in 14th place at the world championships.

“That was a great experience for our team,” CSUEB Head Coach Lisa Cooper said. “Playing a team of that caliber teaches us a lot and we will be able to build on it.”

The Pioneers got off to a great start thanks in large to senior goalkeeper Marrina Nation who nabbed four saves in the opening quarter.

CSUEB got a goal from senior Newark Memorial High School alum Alyssa Hess. With 3:40 left in the first quarter, Hess found the back of the net and cut the lead in half to 2-1 at the end of the quarter.

Despite two goals from CSUEB junior Casey Rushforth in the second quarter, Brazil outscored CSUEB 5-3 in the period for a 7-4-halftime advantage. Senior Ka’iliponi scored the other goal in the second period for the Pioneers and also scored in the third period in the loss.

Junior utility player Sabrina Hatzer scored the only other goal in the third period that was dominated by Brazil. They outscored the Pioneers 4-2 in the third and took an 11-6 lead into the final period.

Flavia Vigna was steady for Brazil and scored a game-high of four goals as she recorded on in each quarter.

Luiza Carvalho also had a big day for Brazil and was the games second leading scorer with three goals that included two in the second quarter of the match.
“Coming to play in the United States is cool,” Vigna said. “I try to take strong shots against the defense.”

The Pioneers were held scoreless in the final quarter despite several great shots on goal saved by Brazil’s goalkeeper Tess Oliveira. Brazil managed to add four more goals in the final quarter for a 15-6 final score. Freshman goalkeeper Miranda Diehm had three saves in the final quarter for the Pioneers in the loss.

The exhibition match does not count toward the CSUEB overall record so the Pioneers are still 1-1 overall this season.

Next up for CSUEB is a home match against Cal State Monterey Bay at noon this Saturday at Pioneer Pool on the Hayward campus.