FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno Pacific women's water polo team wrapped up regular season play with a midweek matchup against UC Merced. On top of the senior celebration, the Sunbirds took the Bobcats into a nail-biter of an overtime, completely shutting them out in the final six minutes for the 10-9 win.
The Sunbirds celebrated their five seniors before jumping into the pool. This delightful graduating crew included sisters Maggie and
Emma Cook, MacKenzie Sepeda,
Summer Fulton and
Regan Azevedo. Their combined impact on Fresno Pacific women's water polo has positively impacted the team culture and surrounding community.
UC Merced jumped ahead with a big 3-0 lead at the start of the match. With a shot far from the cage,
Maggie Cook scored the first goal of the day for the 'Birds. Right after,
Dakota Lambert used the momentum to cut the gap in half, as she sailed a deep shot into the left corner to bring it to 2-4. The Bobcats didn't allow the shift to last long as they netted another goal, ending the first period FPU 2 – UCM 5.
The second period opened with several missed shots by the Bobcats. A great shot by
Sierra Coyne was narrowly defended by the UCM keeper, stopping it an inch before it could soar past. An exceptional field block by
Frances Benson allowed the 'Birds to advance swiftly down the pool and net the third goal of the match. Swinging the ball around, a pass from Cook was everything Coyne needed to sink it in the cage, making it a two-point game. At the three-minute mark, UC Merced struggled to score, bouncing a ball off the top bar and having another deflect off E. Cook's hand. A full minute passed before E. Cook lobbed a ball from way back into the cage, surprising the UCM defenders and sending the FPU bench to their feet! The Sunbirds trailed by one for the remainder of the period, closing it 4-5.
Within the first thirty seconds of the third quarter, Coyne didn't waste time, netting her second goal of the day to tie it up at five. Goalkeeper
Evalena Filippi did a wonderful job protecting the cage, collecting save after save as the Bobcats attempted to get close. Fresno Pacific went on an offensive drive as
Regan Azevedo and E. Cook netted two more to boost the team ahead in their first big lead of the day, 7-5.
The 'Birds won the sprint in the fourth and never looked back! Despite UC Merced's late goals, including a penalty goal at 5:35, Coyne hit a hat trick with a dangerous, long shot that bobbled off the bar and fell behind the goalkeeper, making it 8-7. The Bobcats managed to tie it up at 3:17, but the Lady 'Birds were undeterred. A leaping goal by E. Cook at 2:20, followed by a phenomenal save by Filippi put the 'Birds in a great spot before Merced lobbed a ball into the cage to tie it up at nine, sending everything into overtime!
Barely ten seconds into overtime, the Sunbirds won the sprint and netted a goal, thanks to Azevedo's impressive shot. The Blue and Orange successfully held off the Bobcats attempts, maintaining their single point lead, 10-9. Winning yet another sprint, FPU shutout UC Merced for the remaining three minutes to win it all!
In the cage, Filippi hit a career-high 19 saves in the closely contested match. She has been the starting goalie for the 'Birds all season long, never wavering in her dedication to hold the defensive line.
The Lady 'Birds are 7-18 overall and 2-6 in the WWPA conference. FPU will be the No. 4 West seed for the WWPA Championships held April 10th-12th. The 'Birds will take on No. 1 East Seed Salem in quarterfinals on Friday, April 10 at 1pm!
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