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16
Winner Azusa Pacific APU (0)
4
Fresno Pacific FPU (0)
Winner
Azusa Pacific APU
(0)
16
Final
4
Fresno Pacific FPU
(0)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Azusa Pacific APU 4 3 5 4 16
Fresno Pacific FPU 1 1 2 0 4

Game Recap: Women's Water Polo |

Cougars Overwhelm Sunbirds

FRESNO, Calif.- Despite a valiant effort, the Fresno Pacific Sunbirds were outpaced by a high-powered Azusa Pacific Cougars offense Friday night at the Sunnyside Aquatics Center, falling 16–4 in a game where momentum never quite swung in their favor.

The game opened with energy as Azusa Pacific struck first just under two minutes in. Fresno Pacific responded quickly with a powerplay goal from Emma Cook at the 5:02 mark, tying it up. However, the Cougars surged ahead with a three-goal burst, leaving the Sunbirds trailing 4–1 after one.

Azusa Pacific continued to press the attack, extending their lead with a pair of goals, making it 6–1. The Sunbirds responded with another powerplay goal, this time by Summer Fulton off a well-placed assist from Sierra Coyne. The Cougars added one more before the break, taking a 7–2 lead into halftime.

Fresno Pacific showed their most determined play in the third quarter. Though Azusa struck first, Emma Cook scored again, converting her second powerplay opportunity of the night off a feed from Tatum Benson. Moments later, Dakota Lambert found the back of the net, assisted by Frances Benson, trimming the deficit to 9–4. However, the Cougars stormed back with three unanswered goals to close the period. The scoreboard read 12–4 heading into the final frame.

Fresno Pacific struggled to generate offense in the fourth as Azusa Pacific closed the game with another four-goal flurry, sealing the Sunbirds' fate. The 'Birds couldn't crack the Cougar defense, ending the game scoreless in the final period.

Despite the loss, standout performances came from E. Cook with two goals and F. Benson with a pair of drawn exclusions and an assist. Goalie Evalena Filippi also held her ground with seven saves in her half of play.

The Sunbirds' powerplay was a bright spot, converting 3 of their 4 goals with the advantage. However, defensively, they couldn't keep pace with the relentless Cougar offense. 

UP NEXT

The Sunbirds will be back for their final home game of the season tomorrow for a WWPA conference matchup with the Cal State Monterey Bay Sea Otters at 1pm, where they will celebrate seniors Bella Alcazar, Tatum Benson, Alli Hepner, and Maddie Murad. 

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