FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno Pacific women's water polo team fell to Cal State East Bay on Saturday, 14-7, in Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) play at Sunnyside Aquatics Center.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Cal State East Bay 14, Fresno Pacific 7
Box Score
Records: FPU (0-4, 0-1 WWPA), CSUEB (1-1, 1-0 WWPA)
Location: Fresno, Calif. | Sunnyside Aquatics Center
Series: FPU trails 18-0
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QUOTABLE:
• "This was not the start we were hoping for, but we did some really good stuff today. We need to tighten up our defense and speed up our recognition. These girls have all the tools, we just need to get them all firing together for all four quarters. We have two weeks to work on things before our season gets really busy." – head coach Bryan Suhovy
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
• FPU couldn't overcome a slow start, as the Pioneers jumped out to a 4-1 lead after the opening quarter.
• Trailing 7-3 at the half, FPU cut into the deficit to make the score 8-5 in the third period but wouldn't come any closer the rest of the way.
 
STATS OF THE GAME:
• Sam Witt led FPU with three goals and an assist, while Savannah Mangrum added two scores.
• Hannah Holly and Julia Ponce added a goal and an assist apiece for the Sunbirds.
• Each team was held to 2-of-8 on power-play opportunities, but the Pioneers out-shot the Sunbirds 29-21.
• CSUEB received four goals and five assists from Auriel Bill.
 
BEYOND THE BOX
• The game marked FPU's first-ever WWPA contest after joining the conference this season from the Golden Coast Conference.
• Ponce now has 110 goals for her career, which is fourth all-time in program history. She moved ahead of Brittney Guerrero (109) with the score on Saturday.
 
UP NEXT:
• The Sunbirds travel across town to take on Fresno State in the Bulldogs' home opener on Friday, February 9 at 6 p.m.