O'Fallon, Ill. – The Fresno Pacific women's water polo team battled Mercyhurst in the semifinals of the Western Water Polo Association championships on Sunday morning. The Sunbirds held an 8-5 lead entering the final quarter, but the Lakers stormed back to score five unanswered goals and take the match 10-8.
QUOTABLE
"I couldn't be prouder of our girls. Through all the adversity and challenges they had to fight through this season, they stayed positive and worked hard. We controlled most of the game today and they did exactly what we talked about. Our defense was solid, and our defenders dominated at the center position. We just had some things out of our control happen that allowed Mercyhurst to inch past us at the end. With most of this team returning next year, I am really excited about our future. They are a hungry and hard-working group. Although things didn't work out as we hoped they would, our future is bright. This was a great experience and will fuel the fire for next year," – head coach
Bryan Suhovy.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The Lakers flexed their muscles early, scoring three consecutive goals to go up 3-0 with 4:07 left in the first quarter.
- Hannah Gish ripped a shot into the net to get the 'Birds on the board in the opening chapter.
- With 1:43 left in the opening frame, Lily Dinis scored a goal to bring the Blue and Orange within one.
- Katie Kisling tied the match at three with her goal in the early stages of the second quarter.
- Amy Zaninovich became the fourth Sunbird to score, giving the Blue and Orange their first lead of the match with 4:39 left in the first half.
- After a goal from the Lakers, Zaninovich put the 'Birds back in front, and Rosemary Chapman closed out a strong first half for FPU, putting the Sunbirds up 6-4 with 2:37 to go in the half.
- Alex Jasso and Madison Jacques opened the second half with a goal each for the Blue and Orange, putting the team up 8-5.
- The Lakers scored five unanswered goals in the fourth quarter, taking the game 10-8.
SOCIAL:
#TeamFPU
