LA JOLLA, Calif. – The Fresno Pacific men's water polo team finished up play at the Triton Invitational on Sunday on the campus of UC San Diego. FPU's comeback in the opener fell short against Concordia, 12-10, before the Sunbirds couldn't keep up against Chapman, 14-8.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final Game One: Concordia 12, Fresno Pacific 10
Box Score
Records: FPU (1-2), CUI (2-1)
Location:  La Jolla, Calif. | Canyonview Aquatics Center
Series: The Sunbirds trail 17-3 against the Eagles (last played in 2016)
 
Final Game Two: Chapman 14, Fresno Pacific 8
Box Score
Records: FPU (1-3), SMU (1-3)
Location:  La Jolla, Calif. | Canyonview Aquatics Center
Series: The Sunbirds trail 11-6 against the Panthers (last played in 2016)
 
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HOW IT HAPPENED:
• FPU fell behind 10-3 at halftime against Concordia, and then used a storming comeback in the second half. The Sunbirds tallied seven goals, three from Kyle Eoff, but it proved to be too little too late.
• The Sunbirds then started strong in the nightcap against Chapman, as the game was tied 2-2 after the opening quarter. The Panthers answered with nine goals the next two quarters, however, to take control of the game.
 
STATS OF THE GAME:
• Eoff and Richard Szepesi led the Sunbirds with three goals apiece against Concordia.
• Erik Brown added two goals, while Uros Pelemis and Lazar Raca rounded out the scoring with one goal apiece for FPU.
• Concordia was led by Messan Moore's three first-quarter goals.
 
• In game two, Brown and Szepesi led the offensive charge for the Sunbirds with two goals apiece.
• Floyd Siebenaler, Garrett Pickford, George Dimitroulis and Eoff also added a goal each.
• Chapman received four goals from Kevin Dayan.
 
BEYOND THE BOX:
• FPU is making its first ever appearance at the Triton Invite. The tournament field also features Air Force (RV), Cal (1), Loyola Marymount (17), UC Irvine (13), Long Beach State (8), UC Davis (9), UC Santa Barbara (6) and host UC San Diego (12).
• The Sunbirds had a three-game winning streak against Chapman before Sunday's decision.
• Concordia is a member of the Western Water Polo Association (WWPA), the same conference as FPU, but Sunday's matchup was counted as a non-league match.
• The Sunbirds are now 3-1 in the last four meetings with CUI. FPU, however, is 0-15 all-time against Concordia in a neutral site contest.
 
UP NEXT:
• The Sunbirds jump into WWPA play on Thursday, Sept. 14 against UC San Diego at home. The game is slated to start at 1 p.m.