FRESNO, Calif. – The Sunbird squad played a close match against La Salle, coming up just short in the morning, before being narrowly edged by Siena 9-8 in double-overtime to close the afternoon.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUPS:
Game One
Final: La Salle 14, Fresno Pacific 13
Box Score
Records: LSU (5-11), FPU (1-11)
Location: Claremont, Calif. | Axelrood Pool
Series: FPU trails 0-1
 
Game Two
Final: Siena 9, Fresno Pacific 8
Box Score
Records: Siena (5-8), FPU (1-12)
Location: Claremont, Calif. | Haldeman Pool
Series: FPU leads 4-1
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Game One
• The morning match proved to be a high-scoring affair, with both teams getting on the board early and often. Sam Witt struck first, scoring the first of her six goals less than a minute into the match.
• Late in the second period, La Salle held a 6-4 advantage, though FPU responded with a 7-3 run of their own, powered by four goals from Katie Kisling, to bring the third period tally to 11-9 in the Sunbirds' favor.
• A strong offensive effort from LSU in the final frame granted the Explorers the narrow victory over FPU. Final: 14-13.
 
Game Two
• Siena opened the scoring in the second bout of the day, though FPU matched them step-for-step throughout the contest. As regulation time expired, the score sat even at 7-7.
• Amy Zaninovich gave FPU a lead in the first overtime period, though Siena's Kristen Burger answered back for the Saints, sending the set into double overtime.
• Defense on both sides of the pool tightened up for the final frame, but Diana Fernandez managed to sneak one through for the Saints to hand Siena the win. Final: 9-8.
 
STATS:
Game One
• Witt's six goals and Kisling's four represented respective career highs.
• Other 'Birds who found the back of the cage included: Amy Zaninovich, Emma McBride and Bridgette Garcia (one goal apiece).
• Savannah Mangrum chipped in two assists and Nonie-Ann Grant racked up three steals on the morning.
 
Game Two
• A balanced scoring attack propelled FPU in game two, with the Blue and Orange receiving goals from Zaninovich (2), Witt (2), Kisling (2), Mangrum (1) and Hannah Gish (1)
• Madeline Frey knocked down several Saints' scoring attempts for a total of seven saves.
 
BEYOND THE BOX:
• FPU's 13 goals in game one against La Salle represented a season high for Team FPU in terms of offensive output.
• The 'Birds' bad luck continued as they fell to 0-3 for the season in games decided by a single score.
 
SOCIAL:
• Twitter - @fpusunbirds | Instagram - @fpusunbirds | Facebook - /FPUathletics
 
UP NEXT:
• Fresno Pacific will return to action for day two of the Claremont Convergence on Saturday, Mar. 2 at the Las Flores Aquatics Center in Claremont, California, where they will face off with St. Francis Brooklyn at 10:15 a.m., followed by a match up with Villanova at 3:15 p.m.