AZUSA, Calif. – Courtney Hall recorded 19 saves and Alyssa Stevens scored a hat trick for Fresno Pacific, but the Sunbirds couldn't generate enough offense on Saturday to fall to Azusa Pacific 5-3 at the Golden Coast Conference (GCC) Championships.
 
FPU concludes the 2016 campaign at 9-17 overall. The nine wins marked the highest total since 2012. APU (11-21), meanwhile, moves on to face Santa Clara in tomorrow's fifth-place game.
 
The Sunbirds were within striking distance the entire afternoon, but couldn't quite find the equalizer in the second half. FPU trailed 3-2 at the half and after an APU score moved the deficit to two, the Sunbirds' final goal of the match came at the 3:30 mark left in the third quarter.
 
Stevens led FPU on offense with three goals, while Kaitlin Groothuyzen and Nia Apodaca recorded an assist apiece.
 
Hall 's 19 saves kept the Sunbirds in the game. The junior added a steal, while Apodaca added three thefts as well.
 
FPU was 0-for-8 on power play opportunities, with many shots hitting the post.
 
The Cougars received nine saves from Katie Margot, while Alba Espinar added two goals.

"This was one of our programs strongest seasons and I am very proud of all of our girls," said head coach Bryan Suhovy. "The seniors have been a big part of the growth we've had over the last few years and they will be missed. We are excited for the future though. Our young girls have stepped up and our future is bright. Over the weekend we played really well, but we just didn't get the results we worked for. I am really proud of each of our girls."
 
The Sunbirds graduate Apoadaca, Kaeli Hanson, Mikayla Scheer, Emily Marr and Alyssa Stevens, but return a solid core behind Hall in the cage and All-GCC performer Julia Ponce in 2017.