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6
Fresno Pacific FPU (8-6, 0-1)
7
Winner Cal State Monterey Bay CSUMB (5-14, 1-0)
Fresno Pacific FPU
(8-6, 0-1)
6
Final
7
Cal State Monterey Bay CSUMB
(5-14, 1-0)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Fresno Pacific FPU 1 1 2 2 6
Cal State Monterey Bay CSUMB 2 2 1 2 7

Game Recap: Women's Water Polo |

Sunbirds Drop WWPA Opener in Heartbreaking Fashion to Otters

SEASIDE, Calif.- The Fresno Pacific Sunbirds fell in heartbreaking fashion against the Cal State Monterey Bay Otters in their first WWPA game of the season Saturday afternoon at the Otter Tank 7-6. 

The match started with a strong defensive effort from both teams, as each worked to establish control. CSUMB struck first at 5:02, finding the net to take a 1-0 lead. However, the Sunbirds responded just 20 seconds later when Tatum Benson, assisted by Alli Hepner, scored to level the game at 1-1.

The Otters regained the lead late in the period, putting the Otters ahead 2-1 heading into the break.

Fresno Pacific came out aggressively in the second period. T. Benson netted her second goal of the game at 7:08, again assisted by Hepner, to even the score at 2-2. The Otters quickly regained momentum, though, just 22 seconds later to reclaim the lead at 3-2.

CSUMB extended an advantage, giving the Otters a two-goal cushion at 4-2. Despite Fresno Pacific's efforts, they couldn't find the back of the net for the rest of the period.

The Sunbirds gained some momentum in the third period, beginning with a key penalty shot conversion by T. Benson to close the gap to 4-3. The Sunbirds tied the game at 4-4 when Maggie Cook, assisted by Hepner, found the back of the net.

However, just before the period ended, the Otters reclaimed the lead, giving CSUMB a 5-4 edge heading into the fourth period. 

CSUMB looked to put the game out of reach scoring early in the fourth period, making it 6-4 in favor of the Otters. However, the Sunbirds refused to go quietly.

T. Benson continued her outstanding performance, netting her fourth goal of the match to cut the deficit to one. Just over a minute later, Regan Azevedo, with another assist from Hepner, scoring at 1:46 to tie the game at 6-6.

With the game hanging in the balance, the Otters struck the decisive blow scoring on an exclusion goal at 1:13, putting CSUMB up 7-6. The 'Birds had no answer in the final minute, as the Otters held on for the narrow victory.

UP NEXT

The Sunbirds will look to bounce back as they host the UC Merced Bobcats Saturday morning at 10am at the Sunnyside Aquatics Center. 

 
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