THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Fresno Pacific opened the Inaugural Tina Finali Invitational with a pair of wins Friday at Samuelson Aquatics Center. The Sunbirds defeated Siena 13-5 in the opener and earned the day sweep with a win against host Cal Lutheran 10-4 in the evening.
 
FPU improves to 4-8 overall with the two victories.

"We started off the weekend with two solid wins," said head coach Bryan Suhovy. "The women are playing great defense, smart offense and capitalizing on our opportunities. I'm happy that all the athletes are contributing in a big way. They're continuing to gain confidence and play as a team. I'm happy with how we played today."
 
Kelsie Harvey's 10 saves and one assist powered FPU over Division I Siena in the opener. With the game tied 4-4 at halftime, the Sunbirds used a 9-1 second half to earn the win. The Sunbirds scored six times in the final period and held the Saints scoreless to win 13-5.
 
Emily Marr led FPU with a hat-trick, while Kaitlin Fletcher, Alyssa Stevens and Emily Knowles recorded two goals apiece. Mallory Rettig, Samantha Clark, Kaeli Hanson and Nia Apodaca rounded out the scoring with one each.
 
Fletcher and Stevens added three assists apiece. As a team, the offense recorded 10 assists and converted three of six man-up advantages. The 13 goals mark a season high.
 
FPU finished the day sweep behind strong second and third quarters in the win over Cal Lutheran. FPU led 3-2 after the opening period and used a 4-0 run during the next two frames to distance themselves from the Regals.  The Sunbirds sealed the win with three goals in the fourth to win 10-4.
 
Apodaca's hat-trick and two assists led the offense. Julia Ponce added two scores, while Fletcher, Stevens, Knowles, Hanson and Hannah Holly added a goal apiece in the win. Rettig and Stevens totaled two assists each.
 
Harvey had seven stops in the nightcap and added a steal and an assist.
 
The Sunbirds continue action tomorrow at the tourney against Villanova (9 am) and Pomona-Pitzer (2 pm).
 
Sunbird Notes
Kelsie Harvey is the school's all-time leader in saves (968) and is closing in on 1,000 career blocks…the senior also ranks third in steals (146)…Courtney Hall ranks fifth all-time in saves (91)…Mallory Rettig sits in sixth in career assists (47) and Alyssa Stevens ranks tied for seventh (40)…Rettig also ranks sixth in steals (106)…Emily Marr ranks ninth in goals (72)…Nia Apodaca is tied for seventh in assists (40) and seventh in steals (83).