Claremont, Calif. – The tide flowed in Team FPU's favor today as the women's water polo team managed to best St. Francis Brooklyn 12-11 in the morning before edging Villanova 15-14 in the afternoon. A sweep on day two meant FPU earned a tournament split, ending the weekend on a high note.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUPS:
Game One
Final: Fresno Pacific 12, St. Francis (NY) 11
Box Score
Records: FPU (2-12), SFC (1-10)
Location: Claremont, Calif. | Las Flores Aquatic Center
Series: FPU leads 3-1
 
Game Two
Final: Fresno Pacific 15, Villanova 14
Box Score
Records: Villanova (5-7), FPU (3-12)
Location: Claremont, Calif. | Las Flores Aquatic Center
Series: FPU leads 4-1
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Game One
• Freshman Amy Zaninovich helped FPU get off to a hot start, netting a hat trick in the first period alone. To top it off, she chipped in another goal to open the second period, bringing her game total to an even four.
• The Sunbirds held a 6-5 lead at the half, receiving additional goals from Sam Witt and Jenna Collins.
• St. Francis was just getting warmed up; behind an impressive seven goals from Kelsey Sneglar, they attempted to mount a late comeback, going so far as to tie things up with 28 seconds remaining.
• Fortunately for the 'Birds, junior Savannah Mangrum had the answer, netting the game winner with nine seconds left on the clock.
 
Game Two
• The afternoon match was a nail biter, as the Sunbirds and Wildcats traded the lead several times throughout the game.
• With just over two minutes to go in the fourth period, Zaninovich netted her fourth goal of the game to put the 'Birds up two.
• It proved to be the difference; after sneaking one through with just under two minutes to play, the Wildcats were held scoreless for the remainder of regulation, giving FPU their second win of the day.
 
STATS:
Game One
• Zaninovich's four goals tied her career high, while Witt's four marked the eighth time this season the junior has scored multiple goals in a game.
• Goaltender Gracie Bishop tallied eight saves for the defense.
• The Sunbirds swiped 11 steals to the Terriers' 7.
 
Game Two
• Zaninovich and Collins totaled four goals in the afternoon match to lead all scorers.
• Other notables: Witt (two goals, one assist, and three steals), S. Mangrum (two goals, one assist), Emma McBride (one assist, one steal), Katie Kisling (two steals), Nonie-Ann Grant, Willow Brown and Andria Martin (one goal apiece)
• In her second appearance of the season, sophomore Camryn Berra logged eight saves in the cage.
 
BEYOND THE BOX:
• A day after losing two matches by one score each, FPU's fortunes reversed as they picked up two wins by the same margin.
• Witt raised her season totals in goals and assists to 33 and 14, respectively, bringing her cumulative points tally to 47, good for first on the team.
 
SOCIAL:
• Twitter - @fpusunbirds | Instagram - @fpusunbirds | Facebook - /FPUathletics
 
UP NEXT:
• The Sunbirds will be back in the pool Friday, Mar. 8 when they open WWPA conference play with a match against UC San Diego at Canyonview Aquatic Center in La Jolla, California.