Gm 1: #9 LMU 12 FPU 3
Gm2: #3 Stanford 20 FPU 4

Fresno Pacific faced #9 Loyola Marymount in the program's inaugural Golden Coast Conference matchup during which FPU fell to LMU 12-3.

The Sunbirds played a tough first half and trailed by four at intermission; however,  the Lions came out strong in the third quarter netting five unanswered goals. Kaitlin Fletcher scored in the first quarter, Kaeli Hanson added a goal in the second quarter and Alyssa Stevens rounded out the scoring for FPU by adding a goal in the fourth quarter.

In the cage Kelsie Harvey played three quarters, stopping eight shots including two from 5 meter shots before freshman Courtney Hall entered the game and stopped five shots in the final quarter. Alexandra Honny  was LMU's top scorer with four goals and proved to be a difficult player for the Sunbirds to defend. 

"We came out really well in the first half," said head coach Bryan Suhovy. "We played smart and aggressive but stumbled in the third. We gave up some opprotunities and LMU took advantage of that. Our girls bounced back in the fourth quarter and I'm really happy with how we played in the first game."

In their second game, FPU fell behind early to perennial powerhouse #3 Stanford (20-4). Stanford took a three-goal lead after the first quarter then they extended their lead to eight at the half. A six-goal advantage in the third quarter did not faze FPU as they held Stanford to three goals in the final quarter.

The Sunbirds kept attacking as a result of their persistence the team netted a goal in each quarter. Nia Apodaca, who was the GCC Player of the Week, scored two goals for the Sunbirds and was joined offensively by Stevens and Emily Marr netting a goal apiece.

Harvey had five saves including a one-on-one block as well as a steal in the first half of play. Hall assumed goaltending responsibilities in the second half and had two saves for the Sunbirds.

"I'm excited with how the girls are playing right now," said Suhovy. "Kelsie had a huge game with two 5 meter blocks. The girls came out excited and we had a great crowd and atmosphere on deck. Nia came out with a huge fist goal for us. It was a great day to gain experience and you can see how the girls become more confident throughout the season."

The Sunbirds will travel to Ann Arbor, Michigan to compete in the Wolverine Invitational from March 15-16. FPU will face Mercyhurst, Siena, Notre Dame College and #20 Michigan during the tournament.