LOS ANGELES – The Fresno Pacific men's water polo team scored four goals in the final period before falling short against 17th-ranked Loyola Marymount 14-10 Saturday at Burns Aquatics Center in Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) action.

FPU falls to 4-5 overall and 0-2 in league play, while LMU improves to 3-7 overall and 1-0 in the WWPA.

"I was proud of how hard the team fought all game," said head coach Bryan Suhovy. "However, we made several small mistakes that LMU was able to capitalize on."

The Sunbirds came out firing in the opening minutes and grabbed an early lead behind a goal from Ian Roos from the two-meter line. David Maes netted the second to put FPU up 2-1 before LMU grabbed the lead at the end of the opening period, 3-2.

The difference in the match came in the middle periods, as LMU managed to net five goals in each quarter to take control 13-6. FPU scored twice in the second and third periods to keep the game within striking distance, as Daniel Seymour, Kyle Madel, Steven Kaufmann and Kyle Mauriello each found the back of the cage.

FPU opened the final period with two straight goals from Roos to cut the deficit to 13-8. After the Lions extended the lead with a goal, Connor Cookingham and Seymour tallied a score each before the Sunbirds ran out of time to make the final, 14-10.

The offense was led by Roos' three goals, while Dillon Robinson had 13 saves and two steals in the cage.

"I'm disappointed with the loss, but happy with the progress our team has made," said Suhovy. "We are proving that we're competitive in a Division I conference made up of nationally ranked teams."

FPU continues action next weekend at the Gary Troyer Tournament in Pomona on Oct. 3-4. The Sunbirds are slated to face Fordham, Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, Iona and Pomona-Pitzer.