REDLANDS, Calif. – The FPU men's water polo team traveled to Redlands, Calif. for day one of the Inland Empire Classic. They faced off against Occidental and Redlands, falling 17-5 and 17-13 respectively.
 
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"Game one this morning versus Occidental was tough," said head coach Bryan Suhovy. "We were not ready to play. The guys came out flat and missed some early opportunities. From there, it all went downhill. Occidental played well and capitalized on our mistakes."
 
"In game two against Redlands we were much more prepared mentally, our defense improved, and we were a lot tougher on offense," Suhovy continued. "I was happy with the improvements and adjustments they made from game one to game two. We still have a long way to go but this team has the ability to be great as they gain more experience with each game."
 
GAME 1
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Occidental jumped on top right away with three straight goals. William Green scored FPU's first goal to cut the lead to 3-1 with 1:13 left in the first, but the Tigers outscored the Sunbirds 8-1 to close the half.
• FPU attempted to mount a comeback in the second half after Eugenio Maldonado and William Green scored back-to-back goals, but the Blue & Orange couldn't overcome the original deficit.

STATS FROM THE MATCH:

• William Green led the Sunbird offense, scoring two goals and dishing out an assist.
• Goalkeeper Ethan McLaughlin saved a career-high seven shots in just eight minutes of play.
• Fresno Pacific had 32 shots in the contest, converting on five of them, while Occidental finished with 36 shots, and converted 17 of them.

GAME 2
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The two teams battled out of the gates in the first quarter, with the Sunbirds scoring a goal with :31 left in the frame to make the score 4-3, Redlands.
• FPU tied the game with 6:14 left in the second quarter. Redlands responded with five straight goals, leading to them taking a 10-5 lead into the break.
• The Sunbirds outscored the Bulldogs 4-3 in the third quarter, and even cut the lead to three with just under three minutes left in the game, but couldn't overcome the original deficit.

STATS FROM THE MATCH:

• Bodhi Bowden led the Birds with eight goals and three steals. Bowden was one of two Sunbirds with multiple goals. Thilo Popp scored three goals in the match.
• Pietro Cattano finished the game with three steals.
• Clay Maroney made ten saves.
• Redlands outshot FPU 39-28.

UP NEXT:

• The Sunbirds continue the Inland Empire Classic tomorrow, squaring off against Whittier at 10:15 a.m., and La Verne at 2:45 p.m.

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