Box Score 1
Box Score 2

Fresno Pacific defeated Azusa Pacific 9-8 in overtime to open up the 2012 Women's Water Polo National Invitational. Dani Mortimer scored four goals and Malory Rettig added three in the win. Kelsie Harvey would finish with 10 saves in the net.

The Sunbirds then followed that up with an impressive showing against #17 Cal Baptist, playing their closest match of the year against a nationally-ranked opponent in a 13-9 setback.

Mortimer and Rettig scored in the final two minutes of regulation against APU to force overtime. The Sunbirds then got a big goal from Jennifer Cobb to take the lead in the overtime, followed by a deep shot from Mortimer that made it 9-7. The Cougars drew within one with 27 seconds left, but the Sunbirds would hold strong to finish out the win.

It was the third meeting this season between the two teams, with APU taking the first early in the year before a 7-6 Sunbird win in San Diego on March 30.

"We knew it was going to be a battle," said FPU head coach Bryan Suhovy. "Our big focus the last couple weeks has been the mental game and the consistency, and that has improved drastically. I think that was our biggest thing...the girls kept their composure, they stuck to the gameplan and they just played hard for all four quarters. We're really proud of the way the girls played. Their maturity, their consistency and just their focus has improved so much this season."

In the nightcap the Sunbirds turned in one of their best performances of the season, taking nationally ranked Cal Baptist to the wire. Goals by Krista Loper and Samantha Clark brought the Sunbirds within 9-8 late in the third quarter. Mortimer brought the Sunbirds back within one at 10-9 with 6:45 left. The Lancers however would close out the game on a 3-0 run.

FPU concludes the tournament and its season tomorrow with games at 10:30 am vs. Vanguard and 3 pm vs. Concordia. The Sunbirds will also honor three seniors before the games.

Tournament Schedule

Friday, April 20
1:00 pm                       Concordia 18, Vanguard 3
2:15 pm                       Fresno Pacific 9, Azusa Pacific 8 (overtime)
3:30 pm                       Cal Baptist 22, Vanguard 4
4:45 pm                       Concordia 10, Azusa Pacific 6
6:00 pm                       Cal Baptist 13, Fresno Pacific 9
 
Saturday, April 21
9:00 am                       Cal Baptist vs. Azusa Pacific
10:30 am                     Fresno Pacific vs. Vanguard
12:00 pm                     Concordia vs. Cal Baptist
1:30 pm                       Azusa Pacific vs. Vanguard
3:00 pm                       Fresno Pacific vs. Concordia