LOS ANGELES, Calif. – The FPU men's water polo team (3-22) opened postseason play on Friday at the WWPA Championships, knocking off 8th-seeded Biola (14-17) 13-11 in overtime in the first game of the tournament, followed by a 22-6 loss at the hands of the top-seeded UC Davis Aggies (17-7) in the afternoon bout.

Biola opened the scoring in game one, but Eugenio Maldonado was able to tie the game 1-1 with 25 seconds remaining in the first period. The Eagles opened the second period with three quick goals before Peitro Cattano and Thilo Popp were able to answer with two goals of their own to make it 4-3 with 3:14 to go in the half.

After Biola scored to extend their lead to two, Cattano was able to net his second goal of the game with six seconds to go to make it 5-4 at the break.

The Sunbirds were able to outscore Biola 4-3 in the third period with two goals each from Maldonado and Popp to tie the game 8-8 heading into the final period. Biola was able to take the lead early in the fourth quarter, but Cattano's equalizer with 3:56 left in the contest would send the game into overtime.

In the first overtime period, two goals from Popp and Forrest Gray would give the Sunbirds an 11-10 lead heading into the second overtime period, where Blake Johnson and Cattano would each score to give the Sunbirds the win.

In game two against UC Davis, the top-seeded Aggies jumped out to a quick 3-0 before Maldonado was able to put the Sunbirds on the board with 3:11 left in the period.

UC Davis went on a 4-0 run to extend their lead to 7-1 before Christian Clark was able to close the period out with a goal to make it 7-2 heading into the second period.

It was all Aggies in the second quarter, outscoring the Sunbirds 7-0 in the period, and they continued the run with one more goal to open the third quarter.

William Green was able to end the Sunbird drought with 6:40 left in the period, and after two more Aggie goals, Maldonado was able to add his second of the game.

Martin Angleov was able to score two goals to close out the third period, and after a goalless fourth quarter, the Aggies were able to seal the win.

The Sunbirds will continue their time in LA on Saturday when they take on Concordia at 3 p.m. to close out the 2022 season.

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