FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno Pacific women's water polo team picked up its first win of the season on Saturday, as the Sunbirds used an offensive outburst to defeat Concordia 14-6. FPU then battled back from a four-goal deficit in the second game, but fell to Cal State Monterey Bay 12-11 in overtime.
 
"I am really proud of the heart the girls showed today," said head coach Bryan Suhovy. "We came out strong against Concordia putting goals away early. In the Monterey game, it was great seeing them battle back from being down. They showed discipline and determination. It was heartbreaking to lose it in OT, but we're moving in the right direction."
 
In the opener, the Sunbirds used a four-goal second period to take control of the match. FPU led 6-2 at halftime and continued the momentum with six more goals in the third. The two teams exchanged goals in the final quarter before the Sunbirds found the back of the net for the final time with 25 seconds to play.
 
Amber Penney led the way with five goals, while Sam Witt added three scores and Julia Ponce and Hannah Holly found the back of the cage twice. Emily Knowles and Savannah Mangrum rounded out the scoring with a goal apiece. Holly added two assists.
 
Kaylin Drum blocked six shots in the cage for the Sunbirds, while Courtney Hall added five.
 
In the nightcap, FPU trailed 8-4 with just under a minute to play in the third quarter before they stormed back. A 4-0 stretch, highlighted by two goals from Penney, tied the game at 8-8 with 3:19 to play. After the Otters found the back of the cage, Penney answered 18 seconds later to force overtime.
 
The Sunbirds opened the first overtime with a goal from Ponce to take a lead, but the Otters answered with three of the next four goals to earn the win.
 
Penney scored five times for the second straight game, while Ponce added a hat trick and three assists. Knowles scored twice and Mangrum added a goal to finish the scoring. Kaitlin Groothuyzen facilitated the offense with three assists.
 
Drum blocked 10 shots in the cage for FPU, while Hall added nine saves.
 
"We have a lot of water polo left this season and we're improving each week," noted Suhovy. "Julia, Amber and Emily stepped up and played well, and our young defenders Emma McBride and Nonie Grant continue to impress me. Lastly, Courtney stepped up and had a solid second half to help us make the charge we did."
 
The Sunbirds are back in action on Saturday, Feb. 18 at Cal State East Bay at 1 p.m.