BAKERSFIELD, CA - Hartwick water polo came up just short of finishing unbeaten at the Cal-Bakersfield Roadrunner Invitational on Sunday falling to #13 Cal-Northridge by a final score of 12-7. The Hawks finish their trip out west with an 8-2 record, which is the most successful trip in program history. The win for the Matadors avenges a 12-8 defeated to Hartwick eight days ago.

The lead changed hands four times and the score was tied five times in the first half of play between the Hawks and Matadors. After Hartwick made it a 7-7 game early in the third, CSUN scored six unanswered goals extending into the fourth quarter to pick up the win.

Jessica McKee (Tustin, CA/Laguna Beach) paced Hartwick with two goals and an assist. Shannon Leonard (Pointe Clair, Quebec/John Rennie) added a goal and two helpers and Sasha Freeborn (Auckland, New Zealand/Westlake Girls College) and Kirsten Hudson (Wellington, New Zealand/Sacred Heart) each notched a goal and an assist.

Jess Dorman (Auckland, New Zealand/Diocesan) made six saves for the Hawks in goal. She added two steals.

Hartwick next will take to the pool on Feb. 20-21 at the Princeton University Invitational. The Hawks open up play against Iona on Friday morning before an evening showdown with CWPA rival Michigan. The Wolverines, who have beaten the Hawks in the Eastern Championship in each of the last two seasons, are 5-3 and have already beaten three teams in the Top 10.