IRVINE, Calif.- A wire-to-wire game failed to go the Sunbirds way Friday afternoon as they fell 8-6 to the Concordia University Irvine Golden Eagles at the William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Center.
To start the game, both teams traded empty possessions highlighted by strong defensive play on both ends.
With 15 seconds left in the first period, Maggie Cook found the back of the net for the first goal of the game taking the 1-0 lead.
Tatum Benson added to the 'Birds led with her first goal of the game with the back handed goal off the pass from Regan Azevedo.
The Golden Eagles answered scoring their first goal of the game off a power play.
The Sunbirds responded quickly with a goal of their own from Regan Azevedo to keep their two goal lead to end the second period up 3-1.
A pair of goals were exchanged to start the third with Maddie Murad scoring her lone goal of the day.
The Golden Eagles went on to score three unanswered goals to end the third, taking their first lead of the day 5-4.
Both teams would score to open the fourth with M. Cook tallying her second of the day to bring the 'Birds back within one.
The Sunbirds defense held strong during the middle of the fourth, but with three minute remaining the Golden Eagles broke through to expand their lead back to two.
With a minute remaining, M. Cook converted with another goal giving her her first career hat trick with the 'Birds down 7-6.
Off a power play, the Golden Eagles scored again sealing the Sunbirds hopes of comeback as they fell 8-6.
Despite the loss, it was strong day defensively for the Sunbirds who tallied 9 team steals and only allowed 8 goals to strong Golden Eagle offense.
Fresno Pacific will continue their Southern California road trip with a matchup against the LaVerne Leopard tomorrow at 10am.
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