Fresno Pacific had a season-opening win right there for the taking but host Sonoma State would string together four straight goals in the final minutes to knock off the Sunbirds 9-8 in overtime.

FPU led 8-5 at the end of the third quarter but the Seawolves would come back to tie the game with four seconds left in regulation on a goal from Adrienne Bisharat, who would finish with a game-high four goals. The Sunbirds would have their chances in the overtime, but it was SSU's Alexa May scoring the only goal in the extra period, what would prove to be the game-winner with 1:50 left.

Jaimie Lugo scored three goals to lead the Sunbirds. Nicolette Haley added two, while Krista Loper, Kaitlin Hicks and Jennifer Cobb also scored for FPU.

Head coach Bryan Suhovy said afterward that the Sunbirds, who also lost last season's opener at Sonoma State by one goal, played well and would rebound.

"Sonoma is always a strong program and we are proud of the girls for coming out and fighting until the end," he said. "It was a good day to evaluate where we are this early in the season. We still have some work ahead of us and need to develop our younger players a little more. We are excited about the season ahead."

Later in the day the team dropped an exhibition 18-2 to Olympic Club (made up of former Olympians and pro players). RaeAnn Sadler and Malory Rettig scored the goals for FPU.

The Sunbirds will have an opportunity to exact some revenge on Sonoma State on March 9, when the Seawolves come to Fresno. FPU will play its home opener this Saturday at Sunnyside High School facing Azusa Pacific at 10 am and Cal State Monterey Bay at 3 pm.

Look for a season preview of the Sunbirds to be posted on fpuathletics.com this week.