FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno Pacific men's water polo team defeated Concordia, 11-10, on Saturday morning to wrap up the Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) Championships. The Sunbirds used a balanced scoring attack and a strong finish to down the Eagles in a thriller at the Clovis Olympic Swim Complex.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Fresno Pacific 11, Concordia 10 (OT)
Records: FPU (6-19), CUI (5-19)
Box
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
• The Sunbirds had a strong opening half and held a 4-2 lead at the intermission. 
• CUI eventually earned its way back into the game and scored with 32 seconds left to force overtime.
• Kyle Eoff broke the stalemate in the first extra frame before Lazar Raca added some insurance with a penalty shot in the second. FPU then held off CUI in the final seconds to win.
 
STATS OF THE GAMES:
• Six different Sunbirds found the back of the cage, led by Eoff's hat trick. Uros Pelemis, Taylor Heckathorn and Lazar Raca added two goals apiece, while Paul Siebenaler and Jacob Fairchild added one score each.
• Joshua Ramage was a wall in the cage and totaled 21 saves, which set a season best.
• CUI received four goals from Marius Jakimcikas in the setback.
 
BEYOND THE BOX:
• The Sunbirds earned their second-ever win at the WWPA Championships with the victory. FPU also took seventh a year ago.
• FPU graduates Eoff, Siebenaler, Zach Weaver, Raca, Heckathorn and Richard Szepesi.
 
SOCIAL:
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