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Tristin Fox
17
Winner Santa Clara SCU (0)
7
Fresno Pacific FPU (0)
Winner
Santa Clara SCU
(0)
17
Final
7
Fresno Pacific FPU
(0)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Santa Clara SCU 6 3 5 3 17
Fresno Pacific FPU 2 1 0 4 7

Game Recap: Men's Water Polo |

'Birds Open Season at Bobcat Mini

MERCED, Calif. – The Fresno Pacific men's water polo team opened the season at the 2025 Bobcat Mini, hosted by UC Merced. First-year head coach Jonathan Miller led the Blue and Orange through the first challenges of the season.

Multiple Sunbirds captured a goal in the exhibition against American River. Senior attacker Forrest Gray paved the way for Fresno Pacific with a hat trick, while 2024 WWPA All-Freshmen duo Tristin Fox and Chris Sandino tallied goals of their own. Key returners Samuel Ramos, Jake Canales, and Luke Young also contributed to the strong start for the Sunbirds, despite the Beavers comeback in the third period. The Beavers entered the final period ahead 10-7 and secured the victory.

Division I power, No. 18 Santa Clara, defeated Fresno Pacific 17-7 in the season opener, with the Broncos scoring six goals in the first period. Joey Brocar and Tristin Fox offensively led the Sunbirds with two goals each, both making significant contributions to the team's scoring effort. Senior driver Blake Johnson also impacted the game with a goal, an assist, and a sprint win for FPU. Chase Hammes, 2024 Second Team All-WWPA goalkeeper, made a big splash between the bars, delivering a strong performance with 15 saves to anchor the team's defensive efforts.

The 'Birds rallied in the fourth period with four goals from multiple players, including freshman Matthew Dillsaver, but Santa Clara sealed the game with a last-minute goal, concluding the match with a 17-7 victory. Santa Clara capitalized on 17 of their 41 shots, including three penalty goals, while Fresno Pacific converted seven of their 23 attempts, with only one coming from a power-play.

NEXT UP: The Sunbirds travel to Redlands for the Inland Empire Classic on September 5th-6th. The men's water polo team competes against University of Redlands at 12:20 pm and UC Santa Barbara at 4 pm on Friday, followed by an early morning match versus Iona University at 11:40 am and Pomona-Pitzer at 3:40 pm on Saturday afternoon.

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