RIVERSIDE, Calif. – The Fresno Pacific University men's water polo team opened the Lancer Invitational with an overtime victory over Westcliff 14-13, before falling to host Cal Baptist 24-12 on Friday afternoon.

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"I have mixed emotions about the day," said head coach Bryan Suhovy. "In our first game we struggled with our recognition and execution, and I wasn't too happy with their initial performance. On the flip side I'm really proud of how the guys rallied together. They continue to show their focus and tenacity. Fighting back from being down, to winning in overtime says a lot about them. Game two against CBU was tough. We used a lot of our energy to pull through our first game. These guys never backed down though. We still managed to get quality shots and opportunities. It was a good first day, now we rest and get ready for tomorrow."

GAME 1
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Both teams traded goals, with Westcliff grabbing a 6-5 lead going into the half.
• The Warriors started the second half with three straight goals, but the Sunbirds responded instantly with goals from Thilo Popp, Pietro Cattano, and Bodhi Bowden to bring FPU back within one.
• FPU found themselves down two with under three minutes left in the contest, but two goals from William Green down the stretch sent the game into overtime.
• Neither team could find separation until Popp scored a game-winning goal with :38 left in the game's second overtime period.

STATS FROM THE MATCH

• The matchup was as close as they come, with each team shooting 34 times.
• FPU finished with 19 steals to Westcliff's 14.
• The Blue & Orange displayed a versatile attack, with six different Sunbirds putting the ball in the back of the net. Bodhi Bowden, Eugenio Maldonado, and Thilo Popp led the team with three goals apiece.
• Clay Maroney put in a strong performance between the posts, accumulating 11 saves in the contest.

GAME 2
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Sunbirds started strong against the Lancers, as goals from Popp, Drew Parsley and Bowden had them trailing 5-3 after at the end of the first quarter.
• CBU gained its advantage in the second quarter, outscoring the Sunbirds 7-1.
• FPU worked their way back into the match as Popp, Bowden, and Green found the back of the net.
• The Sunbird kept pace with the Lancers with five goals in the final quarter, but it wasn't enough as they fell 24-12.

STATS FROM THE MATCH

• Bowden led the team with four goals in their match against CBU.
• Popp, Green, and Maldonado poured in two goals each for the Sunbirds.
• Maroney made six saves during the match for FPU.

UP NEXT

• FPU will wrap up the Lancer Joust tomorrow with Chapman at 10 a.m., followed by Crafton Hills at 1 p.m.

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