FRESNO, Calif. – Fresno Pacific (1-2) began their season this weekend with three games over two days.  In the end, the Sunbirds split against Azusa Pacific in two close games 7-9 and 10-9 and fell to CSU Monterey Bay 8-11.

Fresno Pacific took on Azusa Friday night, and then had a doubleheader on Saturday with a rematch against Azusa and then a match-up against Monterey Bay.

In their first match, the Sunbirds came out cold against Azusa falling 0-4 in the first quarter, but charged back to lead 5-4 at halftime.  However, after the third quarter the Sunbirds trailed again 5-9 and could not make up the deficit in time to fall 7-9.

The Sunbirds came back strong on Saturday morning in their rematch.  After being tied most of the first half, the Sunbirds jumped out to a three-point lead in the third and held on to win 10-9.

In the Sunbirds' final game, the Sunbirds started slow again falling behind 1-5 in the first quarter.  Later in the fourth quarter, Fresno Pacific pulled within a goal 8-9, but could not push through to the end as they fell 8-11.

Dani Mortimer came up big in the goalie cage with 29 saves for the weekend with 11 coming in their win over Azusa.

Offensively, Katie Rayner and Borbala Toth led the Sunbirds with five goals apiece for the weekend.  Both girls had two two-goal performances.  Brittney Guerrero came up big with three goals in the Sunbirds' win over Azusa.  Deborah Wall also ended the weekend with three goals; Wall had one goal against Azusa and two against Monterey Bay.

The Sunbirds will continue their season with the California Baptist tournament next weekend taking on Cal Baptist, Azusa, Claremont and Northridge.  Fresno Pacific's first game will be Friday, January 29 against Cal Baptist at 9:15 a.m.