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Fresno Pacific finally got the signature win they've been looking for, starting out with energy and refusing to let up in a 16-7 win over against NCAA D1 Villanova that snapped a seven-game losing streak. The Sunbirds followed that up with a 16-8 win over Wheaton that was pretty much over by halftime.

Michelle Kaplan had four goals and Jenn Wolter and Nicolette Haley added three each as the team never trailed by less than six in the final quarter.

Coach Bryan Suhovy said the reason for the big wins started yesterday during the Cal Lutheran game, which the Sunbirds lost 12-10 but made a furious run in the final quarter.

"Our upperclassmen really stepped up," said Suhovy. "That game (Cal Lutheran) really lit a fire under them and they came out wanting a big win today. Their in-game motivation got the rest of the girls fired up and it showed in their performance."

FPU jumped out to a 3-0 lead on goals from Kaplan, Brittney Guerrero and Wolter, and led 5-1 after the first quarter. The Wildcats would close the gap to 5-4, but Kaplan and Haley scored in the final two minutes of the half to put FPU ahead 7-4 at the break.

The Sunbirds came out of halftime looking to maintain the same level of intensity and they promptly scored the game's next four goals. Kaplan scored twice in that span as FPU took a commanding 11-4 lead that would last til the end.

Malory Rettig added two insurance goals in the fourth and Dani Mortimer kept the Wildcats offense at bay with 11 saves. "She was a wall all weekend," said Suhovy, who also credited sophomore Jaimie Lugo as a big reason for today's wins: "She really came out of her shell this weekend," he said.

The second game had a similar feel as FPU went out on top 3-0 early with two quick goals from Melissa Perry. The Sunbirds continued to pour it on, leading 7-1 at the end of the first quarter and 11-1 at halftime.

Wheaton would score a couple goals late to get the score closer, but it was a dominant performance for FPU. Katie Rayner had three goals, while Perry, Kaplan, Haley and Rettig all had two. The Sunbirds were able to play some of their younger players in the fourth quarter, getting them experience with the game already in hand.

The Sunbirds have a tough stretch coming up, going on the road to take on a talented CSU East Bay team next weekend. They'll also face CSU Monterey Bay, who has beaten the Sunbirds twice, though only by a 9-8 score last meeting.