DAVIS, Calif. – The Fresno Pacific women's water polo team opened the 2020 season on Saturday, falling to Santa Clara and 10th-ranked UC Davis.
 
QUOTABLE: 

• "I felt this weekend was a strong start for us. We played two games against strong D1 opponents and showed a lot of tenacity. The girls stayed focused and maintained intensity throughout each game. It showed a lot of maturity and determination. I felt our bench really stepped up for us, as well. We were able to sub liberally allowing everyone to stay fresh. I'm excited to see how this group grows this season." – head coach Bryan Suhovy

 
INSIDE THE MATCHUPS: 

• Final: Santa Clara 13, Fresno Pacific 7
• Records: Santa Clara (1-0), FPU (0-1)
• Location: Schaal Aquatics Center | Davis, Calif.
• All-Time Series: Santa Clara leads 14-0
• Box Score

 

• Final: #10 UC Davis 14, Fresno Pacific 5
• Records: UCD (2-0), FPU (0-2)
• Location: Schaal Aquatics Center | Davis, Calif.
• All-Time Series: UCD leads 10-0
• Box Score

HOW IT HAPPENED: 
Santa Clara

• Santa Clara scored on the first possession of the day, but the Sunbirds answered with back-to-back goals from Hannah Gish and Sam Witt.
• The Broncos found their rhythm, scoring three goals in less than five minutes that spanned the end of the first and beginning of the second quarter.
• The Sunbirds scored a goal in each the final three stanzas, but the Broncos proved too much and held on for the victory. 

 
UC Davis

• The Aggies scored six goals before Witt got the Blue and Orange on the board near the end of the first, and after a quick score from Amy Zaninovich, UCD went right back to work with another four scores in the second. 
• FPU played the Aggies within a goal in the second half, but the big first half was too steep a hill for the Sunbirds to climb. 

 
STATS FROM THE DAY:  

• Witt scored three times in each game to take the early team lead in that category.
• Zaninovich tallied a trio of goals and a pair of assists, while Gish added two assists of her own.
• Camryn Berra spent the majority of time in the cage for the Sunbirds, totaling 18 saves.

 
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:   

• Fresno Pacific has opened the season in Davis two years in a row.
• Witt has now scored five times in her last two games against Santa Clara.

 
SOCIAL:

• Twitter - @fpusunbirds
• Instagram - @fpusunbirds 
• Facebook - /FPUathletics

 
UP NEXT: 

• The Sunbirds are back in action on Saturday, when they head to Hayward to take on WWPA preseason favorite Cal State East Bay. The match is set to begin at 1:00 p.m. at Pioneer Pool.