MORGANTOWN, WV.- It was a nail bitting 12-11 victory for the Fresno Pacific Sunbirds in their WWPA Championships quarterfinal match up against the Gannon Golden Knights Friday morning at the Mylan Park Aquatics Center.
In the first period, the Sunbirds found themselves in an early shootout against a hot-starting Gannon squad. Gannon jumped out to a 2–0 lead within the first two minutes. Fresno Pacific responded swiftly, with Tatum Benson converting an extra-player opportunity at 4:57 off a slick assist from Maggie Cook.
Cook then scored herself with 2:54 left to tie things up at 2–2, assisted by Alli Hepner. However, the Golden Knights surged ahead again with two quick goals. Sophomore Sierra Coyne netted a key goal at 1:39 from T. Benson to keep it close at 4–3, but Gannon added another late goal to close the quarter at 5–3. Despite being down, Fresno Pacific drew four exclusions in the quarter, a sign of their aggressive offensive pressure, particularly from T. Benson, who drew multiple fouls.
T. Benson started the second period scoring at 6:58 with another goal assisted by M. Cook. Just 17 seconds later, Regan Azevedo found the back of the net off an assist from Hepner, giving the 'Birds back the momentum.
Though the Golden Knights briefly interrupted the run with a goal of their own, the Sunbirds continued to dominate. Coyne delivered another extra-player goal at 2:13, and M. Cook struck again with 47 seconds left, assisted by Bella Alcazar.
M. Cook's began to showcase her dominance, finishing the half with 2 goals and 2 assists, while sister Emma Cook quietly impacted the game defensively, drawing multiple exclusions and setting up powerplay chances.
The third quarter proved to be a slug fest, packed with goals and physicality. Gannon scored first at 6:46, but Fresno Pacific answered immediately with a penalty goal by M. Cook, her third goal of the game.
M. Cook continued her dominant form, scoring again at 5:39 on an extra-player play assisted by sister E. Cook bringing her total to four goals. Gannon came back with two more goals, tying the game 9-9.
Still, Maddie Murad's goal at 1:42, set up by Summer Fulton, ensured the 'Birds kept pace heading into the final quarter. Goalie Katie Whitingham added key saves during this stretch as fouls and exclusions piled up for both teams, notably two on Alli Hepner, who also had three assists and two steals by this point.
The final frame proved tense and strategic, as both teams looked to edge ahead. Gannon struck first evening the score 12-12, but the 'Birds came right back as Azevedo pushed the 'Birds back ahead at 7:12, assisted again by M. Cook. The Sunbirds extended their lead again at 4:28 as Cook scored her fifth goal of the game, assisted by Hepner.
With time winding down, Fresno Pacific led 12–10, but the Golden Knights weren't done as they scored at the six-second mark, to bring them back within one. It was too little too late however for Gannon as Fresno Pacific held on to take the 12-11 victory to advance to the semifinals.
M. Cook ended the game with five goals, a new career high, with T. Benson, Coyne, and Azevedo right behind with two apiece.
UP NEXT
The Sunbirds will advance to the WWPA Championships semifinals and take on the McKendree Bearcats tomorrow at 8:00am PST. The game will be streamed on the WWPA Network free of charge.
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