BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – After clawing its way back into a tied game late in the fourth quarter, Villanova could not answer a final-minute goal from Cal State East Bay, falling 8-7 in its Hoosier Invite finale Sunday afternoon at the Counsilman-Billingsley Aquatic Center.

Joia McKinney paced Villanova (0-4) with two goals and added an assist. Lauren Picard was credited for two assists. In net, Abigail Shelby saved 10 Cal State East Bay (2-2) attempts and had an assist.

Stella Byles and Emily McKenzie gave Villanova its first lead at the 6:35 point of the first period, holding that 201 lead through the rest of the quarter.

The Pioneers evened the match at 2-2 on a goal from Tavaya Martinezcuello but Sara Withers quickly put the 'Cats back ahead by one. East Bay countered with a pair of chances that Villanova could not answer in the final three minutes of the half, heading into the break facing a 4-3 deficit.

Neither team could get a look to fall until three minutes into the second half when McKinney and Emily Morrissey gave Villanova a 5-4 lead. East Bay closed the quarter with a pair of goals from Luna Sarmiento and Elise Whitworth, sending the game into the fourth quarter at 6-5.

McKinney and Picard ended the 3-0 East Bay run with a pair of goals nearly two minutes apart, tying the game at 7-7 with just over two minutes remaining. A whistle on McKenzie gave the Pioneers a player-up advantage with 51 seconds remaining. They needed just nine seconds for Jordan Jarandson to get the winning goal past the keeper. Amelia Baca attempted to even the match late but her shot went off target, giving East Bay the win.

Sarmiento led the Pioneers in scoring, finding the net on all four of her shot attempts. She also had two assists. Goalie Daniela Passoni had 14 saves.

Villanova opens the doors to the Villanova Swim Complex on Feb. 4 as it hosts Mercyhurt. That game is slated to begin at 2 p.m.