SAN DIEGO – The Fresno Pacific women's water polo team opened competition at the Aztec Invitational this morning in San Diego, where they fell to Saint Francis 10-9 in an overtime thriller prior to dropping the afternoon match 12-4 to #20 CSU Northridge.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Game One
Final: Saint Francis 10, Fresno Pacific 9
Box Score
Records: FPU (3-14), SFU (7-14)
Location: San Diego, Calif. | Aztec Aquaplex
Series: FPU trails 0-1
 
Game Two
Final: CSU Northridge 12, Fresno Pacific 4
Box Score
Records: FPU (3-15), CSUN (11-12)
Location: San Diego, Calif. | Aztec Aquaplex
Series: FPU trails 0-4
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Game One
• FPU played a tight match with the Red Flash, exchanging goals through the first two periods of the game en route to a 6-6 tie at the half.
• The 'Birds couldn't muster any offense in the third quarter, but Nonie-Ann Grant and Sam Witt provided a spark in the fourth, putting two goals through for Team FPU to force overtime.
• In the first overtime period, Savannah Mangrum found the back of the net first, giving FPU a 9-8 edge, its first lead since the second quarter.
• SFU managed to sneak one through with 24 seconds left in the period to force a second overtime, where a goal by Metzzli Enriquez put the Red Flash on top once and for all. Final: 10-9.
 
Game Two
• The Sunbirds managed to hang with the nationally ranked Matadors through the first period, scoring on shots by Grant and Zaninovich to bring the first quarter tally to 2-2.
• CSUN caught fire in the second frame, lighting up for nine unanswered goals through to the fourth period.
• Zaninovich found the back of the net again in the fourth, while Willow Brown chipped one in to bring FPU's total to four goals, but the Matador onslaught was too much. Final: 12-4.
 
STATS:
Game One
• A balanced scoring attack powered FPU as they received points from Amy Zaninovich (one goal), Jenna Collins (two goals), Mangrum (two goals), Grant (two goals), Sam Witt (one goal) and Katie Kisling (one goal). 
• In the cage, goaltender Gracie Bishop racked up 10 saves, tying her season high.
 
Game Two
• In addition to two goals, Zaninovich led the team with three steals.
• Bishop picked up nine saves in her second appearance of the day in the goal.
 
BEYOND THE BOX:
• With 19 saves, Gracie Bishop currently leads all goaltenders at the Aztec Invitational in saves tallied.
• The tough luck for FPU continued; in games that have gone to overtime, the Sunbirds are 0-3, including the morning's 10-9 loss to SFU.
 
SOCIAL:
• Twitter - @fpusunbirds | Instagram - @fpusunbirds | Facebook - /FPUathletics
 
UP NEXT:
• The 'Birds are back in action on Sunday, Mar. 10 at the Aztec Invitational, where they will face off against #24 Bucknell at 9 a.m. before taking on #17 Long Beach State at 1 p.m. to close out the tournament.