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16
Winner Fresno Pacific FPU (7-5)
9
La Verne ULV (1-8)
Winner
Fresno Pacific FPU
(7-5)
16
Final
9
La Verne ULV
(1-8)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Fresno Pacific FPU 5 2 5 4 16
La Verne ULV 3 1 2 3 9
13
Winner Fresno Pacific FPU (0)
4
Redlands UR (0)
Winner
Fresno Pacific FPU
(0)
13
Final
4
Redlands UR
(0)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Fresno Pacific FPU 4 3 4 2 13
Redlands UR 0 1 1 2 4

Game Recap: Women's Water Polo |

Sunbirds Sweep on Final Day of Convergence Tournament

LA VERNE, Calif. - It was a Saturday sweep for the Fresno Pacific Sunbirds who went 2-0 on their final day of the Convergence Tournament in Southern California with wins over the La Verne Leopards and the University of Redlands Bulldogs. 

GAME ONE

The Sunbirds opened their Saturday doubleheader with a dominant 16-9 victory over the La Verne Leopards. 

Fresno Pacific set the tone early, with Tatum Benson scoring just 26 seconds into the game on an even-strength goal assisted by Maddie Murad. The Sunbirds continued their aggressive attack, with Murad converting a penalty shot to regain the lead. T. Benson added another goal before Sierra Coyne and T. Benson closed the period with back-to-back scores, giving the 'Birds a 5-3 advantage heading into the second period.

The defensive intensity leveled up in the second frame, as both teams struggled to find the back of the net. The Leopards struck first, but the 'Birds answered with consecutive goals from Maggie Cook and T. Benson, who tallied her third goal of the game. The Sunbirds took a 7-4 lead into the third period. 

T. Benson continued her scoring spree in the third period, adding two more goals, including her second penalty shot conversion. M. Cook notched another goal, while Coyne and Summer Fulton capped off a dominant quarter, extending the Sunbirds' lead to 12-6. 

The Sunbirds maintained their grip on the game in the fourth and final period. Alli Hepner and T. Benson each found the net before Bella Alcazar put the finishing touches on the victory with a late goal. The Sunbirds secured the 16-9 win, with Benson finishing with six goals and two assists.

GAME TWO

In game two, the Sunbirds completed the weekend sweep with a commanding 13-4 triumph over the University of Redlands. 

Fresno Pacific wasted no time asserting their dominance, with Murad netting two goals to open the game. M. Cook and T. Benson added goals late in the period, giving the 'Birds a comfortable 4-0 lead.

The Bulldogs broke through with their first goal of the contest, but the 'Birds quickly responded. Hepner, M. Cook, and Murad each found the net to extend the Sunbirds' lead to 7-1 at halftime. 

Fresno Pacific continued to apply pressure in the third, with T. Benson, M. Cook, and Murad all adding to their goal tallies. Fulton joined the scoring column, helping the 'Birds take a commanding 11-2 advantage heading into the final frame.

Coyne converted a penalty shot early in the fourth, while Jordyn Aspeitia added a goal to seal the 13-4 victory. Goalkeeper Katie Whittingham anchored the Sunbirds' defense with four saves, limiting Redlands to just four goals on 13 shots. 

Benson's eight goal performance against the Leopards was a new season high, giving her an impressive total of 14 goals on the day. 

With the weekend sweep, the Sunbirds improved to 8-5 on the season as they continue their impressive run in non-conference play.

UP NEXT

The Sunbirds will open up WWPA conference play Saturday, March 8th with a match up against the Cal State Monterey Bay Otters in the Otter Tank at 1pm.

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