FRESNO, Calif.- In a thrilling home showdown at the Sunnyside Aquatics Complex, the Fresno Pacific Sunbirds capped off a powerful offensive effort to defeat Cal State Monterey Bay 13–11 on a sunny Saturday afternoon. Fresno Pacific rode a dominant middle stretch to hold off a late push from the Otters, earning a memorable win on Senior Day honoring Bella Alcazar, Tatum Benson, Alli Hepner, and Maddie Murad. 

The game started at a feverish pace as both teams looked to establish rhythm early. The Sunbirds struck first at 6:57 when Tatum Benson, assisted by Bella Alcazar, found the back of the net with a clean finish. CSUMB responded quickly, converting on a powerplay after a exclusion, leveling the score just 28 seconds later. The Sunbirds regained momentum with Maggie Cook scoring at 5:14, followed by another tally from T. Benson at 2:19, off a beautiful assist from Alli Hepner. The Otters matched with a goal at 2:43, but the period closed 3–2 in favor of the Sunbirds.

The 'Birds tightened their grip in the second frame with sustained offensive pressure. M. Cook opened the scoring again, this time off a feed from Maddie Murad at 7:32. Just over a minute later, Alcazar capitalized on another Hepner assist to extend the lead. The Otters answered at 5:52, but Fresno Pacific's poise under pressure showed as M. Cook completed her first-half hat trick with a late extra-player goal at 0:21, pushing the Sunbirds' lead to 6–3 at halftime.

The 'Birds exploded offensively in the third quarter, netting five goals in a dazzling display of team coordination. Alcazar scored her second of the game early at 6:35, followed swiftly by goals from Murad, Dakota Lambert, and Emma Cook, each finding openings thanks to unselfish passing and sharp vision from Hepner, Alcazar, and M. Cook. T. Benson capped off the quarter with her third goal at 0:55, giving her a hat trick of her own. Despite the Otter's efforts to respond with goals, the Sunbirds took a commanding 11–8 lead into the final period.

The final quarter turned chaotic as the Otters mounted an aggressive comeback. CSUMB rattled off three goals in a five-minute span. However, M. Cook notched her fourth of the game with a key powerplay goal at 3:16, assisted by Regan Azevedo. Alcazar then sealed the game with a clutch penalty shot at 1:56, keeping the Sunbirds just out of reach. Although the Otters scored again just 13 seconds later, the 'Birds defense tightened in the closing minute to secure the 13–11 victory.

M. Cook dazzled with a 4-goal performance and an assist, while Alcazar was electric with 3 goals and 3 assists. T. Benson matched Cook's scoring output with a hat trick of her own, and Hepner quietly orchestrated the offense with a game-high 4 assists. Goalkeeper Katie Whittingham came up big with 6 saves to preserve the win.

UP NEXT
The Sunbirds will head north for a Sunday matchup with the Santa Clara Broncos in Santa Clara starting at 12:00pm. 

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