SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The Fresno Pacific women's water polo opened the 2018 season at the UC Santa Barbara Winter Invitational on Friday. The Sunbirds fell to the 19th-ranked Gauchos 21-0 before narrowly dropping the second match to Azusa Pacific 16-12.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final Game One: #19 UC Santa Barbara 21, Fresno Pacific 0
Box Score
Records: FPU (0-1), UCSB (1-0)
Location: Santa Barbara, Calif. | Campus Pool/Recreation Center
Series: FPU trails 4-0
 
Final Game Two: Azusa Pacific 16, Fresno Pacific 12
Box Score
Records: FPU (0-2), APU (1-1)
Location: Santa Barbara, Calif. | Campus Pool/Recreation Center
Series: FPU trails 13-10
 
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HOW IT HAPPENED:
Game One
• In the opener, the host Gauchos came out with a lot of momentum and ran away with the win.
 
Game Two
• FPU then faced APU in the nightcap, as the Sunbirds couldn't overcome a slow start.
• Down 9-4 at halftime, the 'Birds outscored the Cougars in the second half but it was too little too late.
 
STATS OF THE GAME:
Game One
• Madeline Frey totaled four saves and four steals in the loss, while the offense fired off 20 shots without finding the back of the net.
 
Game Two
• The Sunbirds received a game-high six goals from Julia Ponce in the setback, while Sam Witt added four.
• Katie Kisling and Emily Knowles added a goal apiece for FPU.
 
BEYOND THE BOX:
• Ponce's six goals marked a career best for the senior.
• Kisling made her Sunbird debut on Friday and found the back of the cage for the first time in her career.
 
UP NEXT:
• The Sunbirds continue action tomorrow at the Winter Invite with two tough matches. FPU will play the Chinese National Team in an exhibition at 10:10 a.m. and then will take on #3 UCLA at 1:45 p.m.