LA VERNE, Calif.- Emma Cook and Tatum Benson each put up a five goal game performance in the Fresno Pacific Sunbirds 13-10 win Saturday morning over the La Verne Leopards
Early in the first period was a defensive battle as both teams forced turnovers and created steals.Â
The first two scores of the game came for the Sunbirds Benson off the pass from Emily Lopez-Ibarra and for E. Cook with the assist from Sierra Coyne.Â
La Verne countered with a goal of their own to bring it back within one, but not 10 seconds later Bella Alcazar scored for the 'Birds keeping the two goal lead into the second period 3-1.
On their first possession of the second quarter, the 'Birds found Benson again to extend their lead.
Benson would score again for the 'Birds giving her her second hat trick game of the season.Â
Both teams would trade goals late into the second, with E. Cook securing her second of the game.
Showing her dominance inside, Benson added to her growing total for her fourth of the game putting the Sunbirds up 7-3.
The offensive fire power continued for Fresno Pacific as they opened third with two more goals from Regan Azevedo and another from Benson.
La Verne countered with a pair of goals of their own to bring themselves back within four.Â
The third period ended with tree more goals for the Sunbirds from Alacazar and two for E. Cook.Â
Off a power play to open the fourth, E. Cook would find the back of the net again for her fifth goal of the game.Â
Both teams held each other scoreless to end the fourth securing the victory 13-9 for the Sunbirds.
E. Cook's five goal game set a new career high, with her previous set at three.Â
Tying E. Cook for the most goals, Benson's five goal game is her fifth game of the season with three or more goals.Â
Fresno Pacific will head back to Southern California next weekend to kick off the Convergence Tournament with their first game against the McKendree Bearcats 11:30am on Friday.
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