THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – The Fresno Pacific women's water polo came back to defeat the University of Toronto, 8-7, in overtime on Friday afternoon to salvage a day split to open the Tina Finali Invitational. FPU dropped the early game to Pomona-Pitzer, 10-7, to open the invite.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Game One
Final: Pomona-Pitzer 10, Fresno Pacific 7
Box Score
Records: FPU (2-6), PP (4-1)
Location: Thousand Oaks, Calif. | Samuelson Aquatics Center
Series: FPU trails 5-3
 
Game Two
Final: Fresno Pacific 8, Toronto 7 (OT)
Box Score
Records: FPU (3-6), U of T (15-13)
Location: Thousand Oaks, Calif. | Samuelson Aquatics Center
Series: FPU leads 1-0
 
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QUOTABLE:
• "I was really happy with how we played against a strong Pomona-Pitzer team to open the day. We battled all four quarters and had our opportunities, but we just fell short. The girls were ready to play. Then against Toronto we came out slow and gave them the early lead. We spent the next three quarters catching up, but showed great resolve to get the job done in overtime." - head coach Bryan Suhovy

HOW IT HAPPENED:
Game One
• Fresno Pacific fell behind 6-2 early before fighting back with three straight goals to cut the deficit to one with 5:29 to play in the third period.
• The Sagehens, however, outscored the Sunbirds 4-2 the rest of the way to earn the win in the opener.
 
Game Two
• After allowing three goals to open the game, FPU stepped up defensively to climb back into the game against Toronto.
• The 'Birds trailed by one with under a minute to play in regulation before Hannah Holly found the back of the cage with 41 seconds remaining to force extra time. Holly then finished off the Varsity Blues with the lone goal in overtime to give FPU the win.
 
STATS:
Game One
• Two Sunbirds scored a pair of goals against Pomona-Pitzer -- Julia Ponce and Sam Witt. Savannah Mangrum, Knowles and Holly rounded out the scoring with a goal apiece, while Camryn Berra recorded 12 saves in the cage.
• FPU was outshot by the Sagehens 27-23 in the setback.
• PP received two goals from four different players.
 
Game Two
• Holly recorded a hat trick in the victory against U of T, while Witt added two goals and two assists for the Sunbirds. Ponce, Knowles and Katie Kisling each scored once for FPU in the win as well, while Madeline Frey led the defense with 11 saves.
• The Sunbirds created 11 power plays in the game and converted three.
• Toronto's Ana Miroslavic led all scorers with four goals.
 
BEYOND THE BOX
• Ponce has now totaled 119 career goals, which is only three scores away from current assistant coach Emily Marr (third all-time).
• Holly has been clutch in the recent weeks for the Sunbirds, scoring two game-winning games in the month of February.
• Suhovy only needs six more wins to reach the milestone of 100 career wins for the women's program.
 
UP NEXT:
• The Sunbirds continue the Tina Finali Invitational in Thousand Oaks on Saturday. FPU faces Claremont-Mudd-Scripps at 9:45 a.m. and Cal Lutheran at 1:30 p.m.