RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Fresno Pacific rebounded on day two of the Lancer Invite with two wins Saturday behind strong defensive efforts. The Sunbirds took down Division I St. Francis Brooklyn, 7-4, in the morning and beat Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, 8-2, in the nightcap.
 
FPU improves to 7-15 overall after the day sweep.
 
"Each athlete contributed with positive stats today," said head coach Bryan Suhovy. "We came back from a rough day yesterday to earn the needed wins today. I'm proud of the how we played this weekend."
 
FPU used 11 saves from Courtney Hall in the opener to take down St. Francis. The Sunbirds shut out the Terriers in the opening quarter and held SFC to a pair of second half goals. The Sunbirds scored three times in the final frame to secure the victory.
 
Emily Knowles led the Sunbirds' offense with a pair of goals. Kaitlin Fletcher, Alyssa Stevens, Emily Marr, Julia Ponce and Hannah Holly rounded out the scoring with one apiece.
 
The difference in the game proved to be on the defensive end, where FPU tallied 12 steals. Fletcher amassed four steals and Mallory Rettig and Stevens added three each.
 
The Sunbirds carried the defensive momentum into the nightcap against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps. The Sunbirds only surrendered two goals in the win, which is a season-best total.
 
Kelsie Harvey blocked 13 shots and tallied three steals for FPU. Kaeli Hanson added three steals. The defense held CMS scoreless in the second half.
 
FPU led 4-2 at halftime and added four goals in the second half to make the final 8-2.
 
Rettig and Nia Apodaca led the charge offensively with two goals apiece. Stevens, Marr, Ponce and Knowles each found the back of the cage as well. The Sunbirds recorded six assists, led by Fletcher and Tristan Abell with two apiece.
 
FPU wraps up non-conference play on Monday with two games in Davis. The Sunbirds face Harvard at 12 p.m. and UC Davis at 5:30 p.m.