LA MIRADA, Calif.- The Fresno Pacific Sunbirds earned fifth place at the WWPA Championships this weekend after securing a 13-11 win over the Salem Tigers Sunday morning.

The 'Birds jumped out to an early two goal lead in the first with goals from Tatum Benson and Hannah Walker. 

Salem countered back to end the first with the Sunbirds up 2-1.

The Sunbirds offense continued to click in the second as they added a trio of goals to the Tigers two to extend their lead to two at 5-3. 

Goals in the second came from Maddie Murad, Walker, and Emily Lopez-Ibarra. 

Early in the third, both teams traded back-and-forth goals with the Sunbirds narrowly maintaining their one goal lead. 

A penalty shot was awarded to the Tigers with four minutes left in the third which they converted tying the game for the first time at 7-7. 

The tie didn't last long as the Sunbirds scored three goals from Alli Hepner, Emma Cook, and Lopez-Ibarra in less than two minutes to end the third with their largest lead at 10-7. 

Both teams scored to open the fourth, with Regan Azevedo adding her name to the growing list of Sunbirds scorers.  

The Tigers would end up outscoring the 'Birds three to two in the fourth, but it wasn't enough as Fresno Pacific would take the victory 13-10.

Seven different Sunbirds would combine for all 13 goals with Walker and Lopez-Ibarra leading the way at three a piece.

Katie Whittingham proved dominate in goal with eight saves and a steal. 

Benson will end the season two goals short of tying the FPU All-Time  Career record, cementing herself in second with 168 all time. 

To end the tournament, Lopez-Ibarra earned Second Team WWPA Tournament for her six goals, four assists, and four steals. 

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