CLAREMONT, Calif. – Fresno Pacific (5-8) opened up their first day of the Claremont Convergence with a win and a lose.  The Sunbirds were defeated by #21 George Washington 10-8, but returned to smash Penn State Behrend 16-3.

Kriztian Kovacs had 7 goals on the day, 4 huge goals against George Washington and 3 more on Behrend.

The first game was close all the way.  After the first quarter the score was tied 2-2, but then George Washington pulled ahead by two at the half.  The rest of the game was back and forth; both teams always answered their opponent's goal with a goal of their own.  Tim Kahn added 2 goals of his own, along with a goal from Luke MacAlpine and Gabe Calderon apiece.  Caleb Goings had 9 saves, while Milorad Pavlovic collected 5 assists. 

Assistant coach Michael Urrutia commented, “It was great for the guys to keep it close against a nationally ranked team.”

The day wasn't over for the Sunbirds.  Coach Urrutia added, “the guys carried the energy [from the first game] into the next game,” and it showed after the 10-0 bashing they put on Penn State Behrend at the end of the first half.  The Sunbirds never let up, and finished up with a 16-3 victory.

Calderon finished up with 5 goals, while Ray Eggert, Pavlovic and Kovacs each had a hat trick, putting in 3 goals apiece.  Jake Brotsis and MacAlpine each recorded a goal as well.

Goings had 6 saves in the first half, while Riley Warner stopped 7 in the second.  Warner also played the field in the first half, helping with 2 assists and a steal.

Tomorrow the Sunbirds return to the pool to take on La Verne and Mercyhurst to finish off the Claremont Convergence.  The sprints will start at 10:15 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., respectively.