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22WWP_Zaninovich_Amy
Jacklyn Avila
9
Fresno Pacific FPU (0)
11
Winner Salem University SU (0)
Fresno Pacific FPU
(0)
9
Final
11
Salem University SU
(0)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Fresno Pacific FPU 2 1 3 3 9
Salem University SU 3 4 2 2 11

Game Recap: Women's Water Polo |

Sunbirds Battle in Opening Round of WWPA Championships

FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno Pacific University women's water polo team competed in the Western Water Polo Association Championships in front of their home fans. The Sunbirds rallied late against Salem in the opening round, but it was too late as the Tigers took a narrow 11-9 victory on Friday.

QUOTABLE
"I was proud of how hard our girls fought throughout the game. We have a couple of things to clean up but I was impressed by the tenacity we showed and the way our play elevated in the second half. We're ready to keep that momentum heading into tomorrow's game." - head coach Bryan Suhovy

HOW IT HAPPENED

  • All-WWPA First Team Member Amy Zaninovich opened the match to put the Sunbirds up 1-0. 
  • The Tigers answered, going on a short 3-0 run. 
  • Late in the first period, Sam Dieterle ripped one past the keepers, as the Birds trailed 3-2 after one quarter. 
  • The Tigers were excellent to open the second quarter, going on a 4-0. 
  • Madison Jacques scored with 2:42 left in the first half.
  • The Birds trailed 7-3 at halftime.
  • Zaninovich scored the first goal of the second half. 
  • Tatum Benson scored less than a minute later, pulling the Sunbirds to within two. 
  • After a pair of goals from the Tigers, Jacques scored, giving the Birds a 3-2 advantage in the third period. 
  • Hannah Walker fired a shot past the keeper to start the fourth quarter. 
  • WWPA All-Freshman Team Member Natalie Kisling scored a goal shortly after Walker, as the Birds trailed 9-8.
  • The Tigers answered with two more goals, creating some separation that would prove to be enough.
  • Zaninovich capped the match how she started it, with a goal for the Sunbirds.  

STATS FROM THE GAME

  • Zaninovich did everything well for the Sunbirds today, leading the team with three goals while adding an assist and a steal. 
  • Jacques was the only other Sunbird with multiple goals, finishing the match with two.
  • Camryn Berra made nine saves in net for the Birds. 

UP NEXT

  • The Blue and Orange take on Gannon on Saturday at 10:45 a.m. at the Fresno State Aquatics Center.

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