LOS ANGELES – Fresno Pacific continued its Southern California road swing on Saturday, as the 20th-ranked Sunbirds fell to Loyola Marymount 18-6 in Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) action at Burns Aquatic Center.
 
FPU drops to 3-4 overall and 0-3 in conference play with the setback, while LMU improves to 3-7 overall and 1-1 in the WWPA. The Lions are currently receiving votes in the national poll.
 
The Sunbirds couldn't overcome a slow start after allowing five straight goals to open the match. FPU trailed 10-2 at the break and found the back of the net four times in second half, but it wasn't enough as the Lions countered with eight scores in the final two frames.
 
The Lions capitalized on 4-of-6 man-up opportunities, while the Sunbirds struggled with a 1-for-7 clip.
 
Garrett Pickford led FPU with a hat trick on offense, while Kyle Eoff added two goals and Kyle Madel added one. David Maes dished out three assists. Dillon Robinson totaled 12 saves in the cage defensively.
 
The Lions received five goals from Dayne Jagga.
 
FPU is back in action next weekend at the Lancer Invitational. The Sunbirds open the tournament against #2 USC on Friday, Sept. 30 at 1:15 p.m. in Riverside.