CLAREMONT, Calif. – Fresno Pacific split action on day one of the Gary Troyer Memorial Tournament on Friday, as the Sunbirds defeated Cal Lutheran 13-9 after falling to Whittier 15-5 earlier in the day.
 
FPU moves to 5-8 overall after the day split.
 
David Maes led the Sunbirds to the win in the evening game against CLU with five goals. Kyle Madel added two goals, while Taylor Heckathorn, Garrett Pickford, Jacob Fairchild, Garth Verdegaal, Jamison Shapland and Kyle Eoff rounded out the scoring with a goal apiece. Erik Brown facilitated the offense with three assists.
 
The defense was led by Joseph Costa in the cage, who totaled seven saves. The Sunbirds held Cal Lutheran to an 0-for-8 clip on power plays in the win.
 
FPU led 6-4 at the intermission and used a four-goal third period to extend its lead to 10-6 after three frames. The Sunbirds finished off the win with three goals in the fourth quarter.
 
In the morning game, FPU couldn't overcome a slow start as Whittier held a 7-1 lead at halftime. The Poets then put the Sunbirds away with a five-goal third period before earning the 15-5 win.
 
Maes, Heckathron, Brown, Verdegaal and Madel each found the back of the cage for the Sunbirds in the setback. Costa and Dillon Robinson split time at goalkeeper and recorded four saves apiece.
 
"The morning didn't go quite how we expected it to," said head coach Bryan Suhovy. "We came out slow and tired and Whittier took full advantage of it. The guys came out with a different mentality against Cal Lutheran. Our defense was clicking and our counter attacks were strong. I'm proud of how we finished. We have two more tough games tomorrow so we have to be ready bright and early."
 
FPU faces Iona at 8 a.m. and Chapman at 1 p.m.