FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno Pacific women's water polo team ultimately prevailed in a marathon game against Cal State Monterey Bay on Saturday afternoon. After two overtime periods in which the score remained locked up at 14-14, Sam Witt found the back of the net in sudden death to give FPU their third conference win.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Fresno Pacific 15, Cal State Monterey Bay 14
Box Score
Records: FPU (7-19, 3-2), CSUMB (7-15, 2-2)
Location: Fresno, Calif. | Sunnyside Aquatics Center
Series: FPU trails 8-14
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
• For the third time in as many games, the Sunbirds struck first as Amy Zaninovich found the back of the net twenty seconds into the first period (assist Sam Witt). FPU traded goals with CSUMB to bring the first period total to 4-3.
• Through the next two quarters, the Sunbirds outpaced the Otters offensively to the tune of 8-4, giving FPU a 12-7 lead heading into the fourth.
• The Otters poured it on in the final frame of regulation; powered by scoring contributions from Morgan Tucker and Marisa Lovos who combined for four goals and four assists, the Otters racked up a total of seven goals to send the match to overtime.
• During the first two bonus frames, FPU goaltender Madeline Frey held the line for the Sunbird defense, totaling four saves to keep the Otters off the board.
• In the sudden death period that followed, Savannah Mangrum drew a critical exclusion. Capitalizing on the opportunity, Witt netted the game-winner (assist Mangrum) to lift FPU to the win. Final: 15-14.
 
STATS:
• Sam Witt had a huge day for the Sunbirds, totaling six goals, two assists and two steals.
• Other key contributors for the Blue and Orange included Zaninovich (four goals, one assist, one steal), Katie Kisling (one goal, four assists, one steal and a 4-4 record in sprints) and Mangrum (three assists, two steals and four drawn exclusions).
• In the cage for the Sunbird defense, Frey racked up a season-high 10 saves.
• CSUMB was led by Morgan Tucker (six goals) and Marisa Lovos (two goals, seven assists).
 
BEYOND THE BOX:
• The Sunbirds earned the series victory over the Otters, picking up their second win in three matchups this season. In the last five matches against CSUMB, Fresno Pacific has gone 4-1.
• Witt's six goals on the afternoon upped her season total to 51 goals scored. She sits at the top of the points leaderboard for FPU with 79, ranking sixth in the conference.
• Savannah Mangrum ranks first in the conference in assists per game (1.71 average) and second in total assists (41).
• Katie Kisling sits at third in the WWPA in sprint winning percentage at .740 (37-13), a mark that ranks first among competitors who have participated in more than 10 sprints.
 
SOCIAL:
• Twitter - @fpusunbirds | Instagram - @fpusunbirds | Facebook - /FPUathletics
 
UP NEXT:
• The Sunbirds will be back at home again on Friday, Apr. 19, where they will celebrate Senior Day before facing off against Sonoma State at 1 p.m. The 'Birds are looking for a series split with the Seawolves, who stole the first match up earlier this season.