FRESNO, Calif. – Fresno Pacific opened its 2016 water polo campaign on Saturday, as the Sunbirds fell in overtime to Cal State East Bay, 11-9, at Sunnyside Aquatics Center. FPU held a two-goal lead with just over a minute to play before the Pioneers (2-1) stormed back to force overtime and eventually escape with the win.
 
Julia Ponce and Alyssa Stevens led the Sunbirds (0-1) with three goals apiece. Emily Marr, Emma McBride and Emily Woodruff rounded out the scoring with a goal apiece. Marr added three assists to her line, while Nia Apodaca dished out two assists.
 
"We started out strong and came out ready to play," said head coach Bryan Suhovy. "In the second half we lost a lot of our steam and gave Cal State East Bay momentum. They were able to take us into overtime, where we just couldn't finish. In the end I'm disappointed with the loss, but happy with where we are this early in the season. It's one of the strongest starts we've ever had. I'm excited to get on the road next week."
 
The Sunbirds used a five-goal second period to take a 7-5 advantage into the intermission. The Pioneers answered with a stifling defensive effort in the second half, however, to hold FPU to a pair of scores.
 
Courtney Hall made 11 saves for FPU in the loss.
 
Simonne Call and Tori Dettloff led CSUEB with three goals apiece, while Miranda Diehm totaled eight saves in the cage.
 
The Sunbirds are back in action next Saturday, Jan. 30 at the Lancer Mini Tournament in Riverside.