SAN JOSE, Calif. – Fresno Pacific opened its 2015 season at the Lou Tully Memorial Tournament Friday, dropping a pair of decisions to Cal State East Bay, 12-2, and Sonoma State, 8-6.
 Cal State East Bay 12, FPU 2
The Sunbirds couldn't overcome a slow start in the season opener against Cal State East Bay.
 
FPU surrendered the game's first five scores before Emily Knowles put the Sunbirds on the scoreboard with 32 seconds left in the opening period. Hannah Holly added another score for FPU the following quarter on a six-on-five advantage, but the Sunbirds trailed 9-2 at the intermission.
 
CSUEB scored three goals in the second half and held the Sunbirds scoreless to earn the 12-2 win.
 
Kelsie Harvey finished with 12 saves and one steal for FPU in the cage.
 
Sonoma State 8, FPU 6
FPU put together a strong effort in the nightcap, but three late goals from Sonoma State downed the Sunbirds.
 
Kaitlin Fletcher opened the game with a goal and Kaeli Hanson added another to give FPU a 2-1 lead after one. The Seawolves responded, however, in the second period and scored three times to put the Sunbirds in a 4-2 hole at the intermission.
 
FPU fired back in the third period and tied the game at 5-5 with three scores, the final one coming at the buzzer from Alyssa Stevens. Emily Marr found the back of the cage, while Stevens added another goal in the period for FPU.
 
The Seawolves earned the win by scoring three goals in the final quarter. FPU cut the deficit to 8-6 with a goal from Hanson with 4:13 remaining, but couldn't find enough offense down the stretch.
 
Harvey continued her strong play in the cage and recorded 14 saves, one of which came on a penalty shot, in the loss for the Sunbirds.

FPU (0-2) is back in action tomorrow at the Lou Tully Memorial Tournament in San Jose. The Sunbirds take on the Chinese National Team, ranked #2 in the world by FINA, at 10:40 a.m. and close out the trip against #3 Cal at 5:20 p.m.