LA MIRADA, Calif. – The Fresno Pacific women's water polo team closed out its regular season on Thursday, travelling to Biola and falling 11-10 ahead of next week's Western Water Polo Association Conference Tournament.

QUOTABLE

"It was a hard fought game. I am really proud of how our girls played. To close the gap from the last time we played them and have opportunities to win was great. We made a few fundamental mistakes but in the end we executed the game plan as we prepped for. Although we didn't get the win I'm feeling really good with how we're playing headed into conference championships next week." – head coach Bryan Suhovy

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Sunbirds jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead after Rosemary Chapman scored less than a minute into the contest, followed by a goal from Hannah Walker a little over a minute later.
• The Eagles were able to get both goals back to tie the game before Amy Zaninovich scored her first of five goals with less than three minutes to go in the period.
• Biola answered, but FPU took the lead right back with Zaninovich's second goal. 
• Another goal from the Eagles with just over a minute to go in the quarter tied the game 4-4, but Sam Dieterle was able to score with 49 seconds left in the opening period to give the Sunbirds a 5-4 lead heading into the second quarter.
• The Eagles opened the quater with four straight goals to take an 8-5 lead, but a 3-0 run from the Sunbirds tied things up.
• The run started with Chapman's second goal of the day, followed by the third and fourth goals from Zaninovich.
• Biola was able to take a two-goal lead with a goal to close out the third period, followed by one less than 40 seconds into the fourth quarter.
• Zaninovich's fifth goal came with 6:56 left in the contest, but the Eagles were able to go back in front by one goal with 1:51 remaining.
• Dieterle scored on an assist from Zaninovich with 45 seconds to go to cut the deficit back to one. The Sunbirds had a look as time expired after forcing a Biola turnover, but the Eagles were able to hold the Sunbirds off and get the win.

STATS FROM THE GAME

• Zaninovich scored a career-high five goals and matched a carrer high in points with six. She also had one assist.
• Chapman scored and assisted on two goals to total four points.
• Dieterle scored two goals in the contest.
• Camryn Berra finished with seven saves in goal.

UP NEXT

The Blue and Orange will prepare to host the WWPA Championships on April 22-24 at the Fresno State Aquatics Center.

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