FRESNO, Calif.- Bitter rivals collided Friday afternoon at the Sunnyside Aquatics Center as a back-and-forth affair failed to go the Fresno Pacific Sunbirds way as they fell to the Biola Eagles 12-11. 

The game began with Biola striking first, as the Eagles converted a power-play goal at 6:57 to give them an early lead. The Sunbirds answered at 3:32 when Tatum Benson found the back of the net with a well-placed shot, tying the game at 1-1. However, Biola quickly regained the lead, capitalizing on an even-strength opportunity at 3:04, making it 2-1 in favor of the Eagles.

The Sunbirds did not back down and responded with two consecutive goals. Regan Azevedo scored at 2:28 off an assist from Bella Alcazar to level the game once more. Then, with just 48 seconds remaining in the period, Dakota Lambert fired in a goal to give Fresno Pacific a 3-2 lead heading into the second quarter.

Biola wasted no time in the second quarter, striking at 7:21 to bring the score to 3-3. However, the 'Birds answered quickly, with T. Benson netting her second goal of the game at 5:45. Biola responded once again, converting an exclusion goal at 5:20 to tie it up 4-4.

Fresno Pacific then went on a strong offensive run, scoring three goals in quick succession. At 2:57, Summer Fulton capitalized on an assist from Azevedo to regain the lead for the Sunbirds. Less than 40 seconds later, Alcazar extended the advantage with a goal at 2:24, and struck again at 1:49, completing her dominant stretch and giving Fresno Pacific a 7-4 lead. However, Biola kept themselves within striking distance, scoring again at 0:49, cutting the deficit to 7-5 at halftime.

The third quarter saw Biola take control, largely thanks to their efficiency on power plays and penalty shots, three of them in just over two minutes. The Eagles struck first at 5:21 to bring them within one, then scored again at 4:45 to give the Eagles an 8-7 lead. Another penalty goal at 3:46, pushed the score to 9-7 for the Eagles. 

The Sunbirds finally broke Biola's run when Maggie Cook scored at 2:32, assisted by Fulton, bringing the Sunbirds back within one. However, the Eagles quickly responded, as Alcazar found the net again at 1:40. Biola closed out the period strong, scoring at 0:49, and added another goal at 0:21. By the end of the quarter, with their five goals in the third, Biola had built an 11-9 lead.

In the fourth, the Sunbirds battled back, with Sierra Coyne scoring twice first at 6:45 off an assist from Hepner, then again at 5:18 on an exclusion goal, evening the game 11-11. 

The 'Birds continued to push for the go ahead goal, but Biola's defense held firm. It was the Eagles however who broke through, scoring the critical goal. The 'Birds had their opportinities, including a critical steal in the final minutes by Lambert, but her pass to Alcazar went long as the Eagles collected the ball sealing the victory, 12-11. 

UP NEXT

The Sunbirds take a break from conference play and will head north up the 99 to Stockton, for a match up with the University of the Pacific next Saturday at 1pm at Chris Kjeldsen Pool. 

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