BOSTON – Fresno Pacific split action on the final day of the 2016 Harvard Invitational on Sunday, as the Sunbirds defeated Mercyhurst 8-7 before falling to #16 Harvard 18-7.
 
FPU moves to 7-7 overall with the day split and finished the East coast swing at 1-3.
 
"I was proud of how hard the girls played and the opportunities they created," said head coach Bryan Suhovy. "It was a good week of gaining more experience as we head into conference play next week."
 
The difference in the opener proved to be the second period, as the Sunbirds won the quarter 3-2. FPU held a 4-3 advantage at the intermission and finished off the win by matching Mercyhurst 4-4 in goals in the second half.
 
Nia Apodaca and Kaeli Hanson led the way offensively with two goals apiece, while Julia Ponce, Alyssa Stevens, Emily Marr and Emily Knowles rounded out the scoring with a goal each. Ponce and Kaitlin Groothuyzen added two assists apiece.
 
Courtney Hall led the charge defensively with eight saves and grabbed two assists.
 
In the final game of the tournament, nationally-ranked Harvard proved a tough task for the Sunbirds. FPU fell behind 6-1 after the first quarter and couldn't make up the ground the rest of the way.
 
Hannah Holly and Knowles netted two goals apiece for the Sunbirds. Apodaca, Ponce and Groothuyzen each found the back of the cage as well. Alyssa Stevens facilitated the offense with two assists, while Holly added five drawn ejections to her line.
 
Hall played the opening three quarters in goal and amassed nine blocks, while Kaylin Drum played the fourth period and totaled two saves.
 
The Sunbirds jump back into action next week in Golden Coast Conference play. FPU faces Loyola Marymount at home on Friday, March 11 at 7 p.m.