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Sam Dieterle
10
Virginia Military Institute VMI (0)
16
Winner Fresno Pacific FPU (0)
Virginia Military Institute VMI
(0)
10
Final
16
Fresno Pacific FPU
(0)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Virginia Military Institute VMI 3 3 3 1 10
Fresno Pacific FPU 3 4 7 2 16

Game Recap: Women's Water Polo |

FPU Overpowers VMI in Return Home

FRESNO, Calif.- After a back and forth first half, the Fresno Pacific Sunbirds (9-11 overall) capitalized on a powerplays and a big third quarter to seal a 16-10 win over the Virginia Military Institute Keydets (3-5 overall) Monday night at the Sunnyside Aquatics Center.
 
The 'Birds scored 7 goals in the 3rd and converted on 5 of 7 powerplays in the game while holding VMI to 0-7 to grab their first home win of the season.
 
The Keydets came out strong and found their center for a quick goal in the opening minute.
 
While the Sunbirds didn't score on their opening possession despite drawing an exclusion, they quickly changed their momentum.
 
Rosemary Chapman quickly tied the game on another powerplay but VMI regained the lead on the next possession.
 
The Sunbirds capitalized on two more exclusions with Emma Cook and Regan Azevedo each scoring for the first FPU lead of the night.
 
The two teams alternated goals from there with FPU holding possession in the final minute of the half, tied at 6.
 
Emily Lopez-Ibarra's shot got deflected but trickled toward the corner of the goal, where Tatum Benson pushed the ball across the plane of the goal with 7 seconds left in the half, giving FPU a halftime lead.
 
After VMI quickly tied the game to start the 2nd half, the Sunbirds took off.
 
Chapman and Azevedo added another score with Natalie Kisling striking in between to give FPU a three-goal lead.
 
Bella Alcazar scored in between a pair of goals by the Keydets, but FPU scored three more goals to end the period including two goals from Sam Dieterle and a powerplay goal by Alli Hepner to close the period.
 
Dieterle added another in the fourth as FPU extended its lead to 16-9 before VMI tallied the final goal.
 
While the Sunbirds were excellent in capitalizing on powerplays, the 'Birds were equally adept at stopping their opposition despite being at a disadvantage.
 
FPU shut the Keydets down on the powerplay, keeping them to 0-7 on the night.
 
Goalie Katie Whittingham was excellent in the cage, making seven saves-including a 5-meter save, to hold off the Keydets.
 
Fresno Pacific gets a well-earned break before they return to action March 25th at Santa Clara. The Sunbirds will return home on the 28th against WWPA rival Biola.
 
 
 
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