CLOVIS, Calif.- A fourth period rally for the Fresno Pacific Sunbirds (10-9 overall, 2-3 WWPA) fell short Saturday afternoon as they fell 9-8 to the Cal State East Bay Pioneers (17-11 overall, 5-1 WWPA).
In the first period, the Sunbirds and Pioneers traded a pair of goals with Emily Lopez-Ibarra and Ali Hepner finding the back of the net for the 'Birds.
With a second left on the clock, the Pioneers scored to take the lead 3-2 heading into the second.
The Pioneers continued to pull away in the second with a pair of goals before Maggie Cook converted the penalty shot for the Sunbirds to bring them back within two at the half 5-3.
CSUEB expanded their lead in the third outscoring the Sunbirds three goals to one giving them their largest lead of the game 8-4.
The lead didn't last long as the Sunbirds stormed back with four straight goals.
The goals from Lopez-Ibarra, Tatum Benson, Natalie Kisling, and Hannah Walker evened the score 8-8 with less than two minutes left.
Off a power play, the Pioneers pulled back in front with a minute remaining giving the Sunbirds one final opportunity to even the score.
Out of the timeout the Sunbirds set out the perfect play but an outstanding save by Daniela Passoni thwarted their comeback as time expired and the Sunbirds fell 9-8.
Fresno Pacific will be back in the pool Friday for another WWPA matchup as they host the Biola Eagles at 1pm at the Sunnyside Aquatics Center.
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