RIVERSIDE, Calif. – The Fresno Pacific women's water polo team split action at the Lancer Mini Tournament on Saturday. The Sunbirds earned their first win of the year with a 12-6 victory over Pomona-Pitzer before falling in overtime to Whittier, 12-11, in the nightcap.
 
" I felt it was a solid day of polo for us," said head coach Bryan Suhovy. "The girls fought hard in each game and continue to grow and improve. I'm disappointed about the loss to Whittier, but proud of the confidence and determination we showed. I'm excited to see where we go from here."
 
In the opener, the Sunbirds (1-2) used strong first and third quarters to down the Sagehens. FPU combined to score eight goals in the two periods to take control of the game. The Sunbirds led 6-3 at halftime before earning the 12-6 decision.
 
Julia Ponce and Emily Marr led FPU with three goals apiece, while Kaitlin Fletcher added two scores with five assists. Alyssa Stevens, Mikayla Scheer, Kaeli Hanson and Nia Apodaca rounded out the scoring with one apiece.
 
Courtney Hall was outstanding in the cage and added 17 saves. Ponce and Sheer added four steals apiece defensively.
 
Molly Edison and Megan Snow led Pomona-Pitzer with two goals apiece.
 
In the evening game, the Sunbirds battled back from a two-goal deficit with three minutes to play to force overtime but couldn't pull out the win. Whittier scored three times in OT, including twice in the first extra frame, to earn the win.
 
Marr and Emily Woodruff led the way with two goals apiece. Ponce, Fletcher, Stevens, Emily Knowles, Scheer, Hanson and Apodaca finished with one goal each. Ponce, Stevens and Apodaca added two assists to their lines.
 
Kaylin Drum made her first career start as a Sunbird and totaled four saves in two quarters. Hall played the rest of the way and amassed seven saves in the cage.
 
Jenel Rivera led the Poets with three goals.
 
The Sunbirds are back in action against Cal State Monterey Bay and Santa Clara on Saturday, Feb. 6.