RIVERSIDE, Calif. – The Fresno Pacific water polo team opened up play at the Lancer Invitational on Friday with two matches, as the Sunbirds fell to third-ranked USC (21-3) and Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (13-10, OT).
 
FPU couldn't overcome the stifling defense of the Trojans in the opener, as the Sunbirds were held scoreless in the first half and trailed 7-0 at the break. FPU found the net three times in the final two quarters, but USC countered with 14 goals to make the final 21-3.
 
Kyle Eoff led the 'Birds with two goals, while David Maes found the back of the cage once. Maes and Jamison Shapland added an assist apiece. Dillon Robinson blocked seven shots in the cage.
 
The Trojans out-shot the Sunbirds 45-14. Daniel Leong led USC with four goals, six assists and four steals.
 
In the nightcap, the Sunbirds stormed back from a first-half deficit to force overtime. Garrett Pickford and Maes each found the back of the cage in the final 3:30 of the game to put the game in extra time. After each team was held scoreless in the first overtime period, Claremont-Mudd-Scripps came out in the second extra period with three goals to win 13-10.
 
Pickford and Jacob Fairchild led the Sunbirds with a hat trick apiece, while Eoff added two goals. Maes and Kyle Madel added the final two scores with one goal apiece. Robinson tallied nine saves in the cage.
 
The Sunbirds scored on 4-of-14 power plays and held CMS to a 1-of-8 mark, but were out-shot 34-31.
 
Noah Deer led Claremont-Mudd-Scripps with four goals.
 
FPU falls to 3-6 overall with the pair of setbacks. The Sunbirds are back in action at the Lancer Invitational tomorrow with a pair of games, with the first getting started at 9:20 a.m. against Redlands.