The women's water polo team played some solid minutes but lost to a very talented Cal Baptist team 10-6, and then to Sonoma State, 11-9, at Sunnyside High School on Saturday. Coaches and players expressed optimism about the team's performance despite the losses.

"We're right on the brink of a new level of water polo," said coach Bryan Suhovy. "The losses were tough today but I'm excited about where we're headed." 

Brittney Guerrero led the Sunbirds offensively with five goals, followed closely by Nicolette Haley with four. Michelle Kaplan and Melissa Perry each had two goals while Katie Rayner and Jenn Wolter each added one. Dani Mortimer had 27 saves.

Fresno Pacific kept the Lancers on their heels in the day's first game. A hard fought first half ended with Cal Baptist up 7-5 after a questionable shot at the buzzer.

In the second half, the Sunbirds kept CBU within two in the third quarter, but were unable to close the gap in the fourth, as the Lancers outscored the Sunbirds 4-1 to take the game with a final score of 10-6. 

Suhovy was enthusiastic about the game. "CBU receives votes nationally. This game showed that we can play with the best."

"It was the best we've ever played them," added Guerrero. "They were nervous."

The Sunbirds came out slow against Sonoma State, falling behind 6-1 at half and 9-3 at the end of the third. 

In the fourth quarter FPU decided to turn up the offensive effort, outscoring SSU 6-2 to pull within two goals of a tie. The Seawolves fended off the late attack, though, to take the 11-9 win.

"Sonoma was ready to play," said Suhovy. "It took us a while to get the engine running, but I'm proud of the way we finished."  

The Sunbirds' (2-8) next contest will be the Cal Lutheran tournament March 4-5 in Thousand Oaks, CA.