RIVERSIDE, CALIF. – Fresno Pacific took on Ottawa-Arizona and Austin in the Lancer Invitational. The 'Birds started off the tournament with a dominate win over Ottawa and then followed with a win over Austin College.
"Despite the detours and setbacks yesterday the guys came out strong. I was proud of how they managed the day and stayed emotionally focused and consistent. Today the guys displayed a lot of maturity, even when we were down against Austin, they didn't get frustrated or panicked. They played their game and just chipped away," said head coach
Bryan Suhovy.
"On top of it all we played back-to-back games and that can really wear a team out. The 'Birds off the bench did a great job in each of their rolls which allowed us to sustain the way we did. Everyone contributed to the wins including all four goalies. It was a good day for the Sunbirds.
Cody Wickman really stepped up for us today. This was one of his strongest weekends yet. He was getting position and scoring goals and it showed as he was the leading scorer for us this weekend," added Suhovy.
INSIDE THE MATCHUPS:
Final: Ottawa-Arizona 6, Fresno Pacific 18
Records: OAU (3-18), FPU (4-14)
Final: Austin 9, Fresno Pacific 16
Records: AC: (0-12), FPU (5-14)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- - The Sunbirds came out ready to play as they scored the first six goals of the games. Ottawa managed to grab one goal in the first quarter but FPU kept their six-goal lead with a goal to end the quarter.
- - FPU scored three more goals in the second quarter compared Ottawa's two giving the 'Birds a 10-3 lead heading into halftime.
- - The Sunbirds kept their momentum heading into the third quarter as Cody Wickman found the back of the net scoring back-to-back goals off of passes from Callen Bruening.
- - Ottawa managed to score three more goals in the game but the 'Birds scored the last four goals of the competition.
- - Game two was a similar story for the Sunbirds as the came out scoring the first two goals of the game. The 'Roos responded with three straight goals of their own and would lead heading into the second quarter.
- - Uros Pelemis tied is up at three all with a goal to start the second. Austin College however scored three-goals in a row before Cody Wickman found the back of the net three straight times for the 'Birds.
- - The third quarter was all FPU as they scored five unanswered goals and took an 11-6 lead.
- - Austin College scored first in the fourth quarter but FPU countered with five goals to the Roos' three.
STATS OF THE GAMES:
- - Cody Wickman scored a game high of four goals in the win over Ottawa. Jacob Fairchild scored his second hat trick of the weekend and added two assists for the 'Birds.
- - Conner Schink and Michael Hicks split time in the goal for FPU. Schink earned the win for the 'Birds and had five saves over Ottawa.
- - Wickman dominated in the second game of the day for the 'Birds as he found the back of the cage eight times for a career high goals in one game.
- - Uros Pelemis collected five goals of his own in the win over Austin.
- - Michael Hicks picked up the win for the 'Birds in the cage.
SOCIAL:
UP NEXT:
Fresno Pacific will travel to Davis, Calif. to take on UC Davis on Friday, October 18
th at 3:00 p.m.
#TeamFPU
