Fresno Pacific dropped their final match of the season with a 13-7 loss to #22 California Baptist at the National Invitational in Riverside.

“The final weekend of games is always an emotional one,” said head coach Bryan Suhovy. “We allowed our emotions to take us out of our game and couldn't find the back of the cage in the opportunities that we created for ourselves.”

Glenn Lyon led the Sunbirds (11-17) in scoring with two goals in what was the lowest offensive output since a 5-6 loss to Fordham on October 6.

Ian Roos, Brian Xicotencatl, Matt Boogaard, Zlatko Vlasic and Daniel Seymour each added one in the loss.

The Lancers jumped out on top early scoring the first five goals of the game, as the Sunbirds were unable to put anything in the back of the net and found themselves in a deep hole early on.

FPU did score two straight goals but California Baptist answered with two of their own and took a 7-2 lead into halftime.

A big fourth quarter in which the Sunbirds were outscored 5-2 pushed the lead to eight for the Lancers.

Fresno Pacific closes the season at just 11-17 but the Sunbirds have been far more competitive against top Division I teams this season than in any other previous year. In the Santa Clara tournament FPU came within at least four goals of beating top-20 teams three out of their four games including a two-goal loss to #13 Air Force Academy.

“The guys have had one of their strongest showings this season against some of the nation's top programs,” said Suhovy. “I am very proud of how we played this season. This group has raised the bar for FPU water polo. I'm excited about the direction our program is headed and our future in the NCAA.”