FRESNO, Calif. – Fresno Pacific (8-20) took Concordia into overtime, but fell 7-9 after their split performance at the Roadrunner Invitation in Bakersfield. On Friday, the Sunbirds defeated Whittier 12-10, but lost to San Bernardino 5-11. Fresno Pacific returned home to take Concordia to overtime.
The Sunbirds were down going into the fourth quarter against Concordia. The Sunbirds' leading scorer was scoreless until they needed her to score; Yulia Blinovskaya scored the tying goal in the fourth quarter to send the game into overtime. In overtime, the Sunbirds were outscored 1-3 to fall 7-9 to the Eagles.
Marissa Nunez led the Sunbirds with three goals, while Deborah Wall, Melissa Perry and Jen Wolter all scored a goal apiece. Crystal Cole had 10 saves for the Sunbirds.
Coach Brian Suhovy commented on the loss, “It was a great game and we had our opportunities to put it away we just couldn't finish. In the end we just ran out of gas and Concordia finished strong.”
In Bakersfield, Nunez led scoring with four goals, three against Whittier and one against San Bernardino. Nunez finished the weekend with seven goals. Katelyn Ball also had three goals against Whittier helping the Sunbirds win 12-10. Brittney Guerrero and Perry put in two goals apiece against Whittier, while Blinovskya had two against San Bernardino.
Crystal Cole finished the weekend with 21 saves total.
Coach Suhovy continued, “We are now focused on our home tournament this weekend and preparing for Nationals so we can finish strong.”
This weekend the Sunbirds will host their own tournament on Saturday, April 4.