Azusa Pacific 8, Fresno Pacific 4
APU Goals: Kedrel 2, Horchler 2, Folsom 2, Donaldson, Baumler
FPU Goals: Jaimie Lugo 2, Jenna Morris, Krista Loper

Cal State Monterey Bay 15, Fresno Pacific 6
CSUMB Goals: Smart 6, Sowul 4, Walters 2, Koorndyk, Cooper, Fields
FPU Goals: Kaitlin Hicks 2, Nicolette Haley 2, Jenna Morris, Jaimie Lugo


Fresno Pacific could not overcome a slow start in its home opener against Azusa Pacific, falling 8-4 in the first of two games at Sunnyside High on Saturday. In the second, the Sunbirds fell to a talented Cal State Monterey Bay squad 15-6, who had just beaten Azusa impressively 17-7.
 
Jaimie Lugo led the Sunbirds offensively on the day, recording team-high three goals. FPU also received two goals from Jenna Morris, Nicolette Haley, and Katlin Hicks each, with the final goal scored by Krista Loper.
 
In game one, Azusa would jump out to a four-goal lead after the first quarter, which would prove to be the difference in the game.
 
“We had a strong second half, we just came out a little slow this morning and we really weren't quite ready for what Azusa had,” head coach Bryan Suhovy said. “It took us a quarter to realize what we were capable of, and by that time it was already too late.”
 
Despite the slow start in the first quarter, Fresno Pacific outscored Azusa in the second and fourth 2-1. Lugo recorded two goals in the second period, while Morris and Loper scored in the final quarter.
 
Azusa Pacific recorded eight saves in the match to seal the victory.
 
In the second game, Monterey Bay would hold Fresno Pacific to one second half goal in the 15-6 win. The Sunbirds fell victim to another slow start after falling behind 6-2 after the first quarter. FPU had a solid second quarter scoring three goals behind Lugo, Haley, and Hicks, but CSUMB proved too much to handle in the loss.
 
“We are getting caught watching the game too much,” said Suhovy. “Offensively it took us all day for our girls to realize that they have the ability to shoot, and when we finally started getting that confidence to pull the trigger, the shots were coming at the wrong time.”
 
The Sunbirds will have two weeks to prepare for their next matches, where they will take on nationally-ranked Santa Clara and Cal State Monterey Bay once again on February 4th in Monterey.
 
“We got some things to work on the next couple of weeks before our next game, and get the girls all on the same page,” said Suhovy. “The girls are fighting, they want it; it's just a matter of getting them all to work towards the same goal.”