HAYWARD, Calif. - A second half comeback fell short for the Fresno Pacific Sunbirds (9-8 overall, 1-2 conference) who lost to Cal State East Bay Pioneers (12-10, 3-0 conference) 18-12 Friday afternoon at Pioneer Pool.
The Pioneers jumped out to an early lead outscoring the Sunbirds 4-3 in the first period.
The trio of goals for 'Birds came from three different scorers,
Tatum Benson,
Emily Lopez-Ibarra, and
Hannah Walker.
CSUEB extended their lead quickly scoring four goals unanswered in the second jumping out to their largest lead of the match up 8-3.
With less than two minutes left, the Sunbirds broke the drought finding the back of the net off a powerplay from
Sierra Coyne.
The second period ended with two more goals for the Pioneers and another goal from Benson with CSUEB up 10-5.
Both teams recorded a trio of goals in the third, with the scoring for the Sunbirds coming from Benson, Lopez-Ibarra, and
Maggie Cook with the Pioneers keeping their lead at five heading into the fourth.
In the fourth, the Sunbirds defensive sturggles continued as they could not find an answer for the Pioneers.
FPU attempted to rally the comeback with more goals from Benson, Lopez-Ibarra, and Walker allowing the 'Birds to come within three with three minutes remaining at 15-12.
It was as close as the 'Birds would come however, as the Pioneers dashed the hopes of a comeback scoring three more goals unanswered to end the fourth taking the 18-12 victory.
Benson and Lopez-Ibarra led all scorers with four goals each, while three other Sunbirds combined for the remaining five.
The loss drops the Sunbirds into third place in the WWPA West.
Fresno Pacific will be back in action next Saturday with another WWPA rematch against the CSUMB Otters at 1pm in Seaside.
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