BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. — Taking a trip across the country, Fresno Pacific men's water polo defeated fellow WWPA opponent, Salem University 18-17 in a non-conference game. The Sunbirds scored seven goals in the fourth quarter, their highest total of any quarter. Both teams finished with 38 shots, with the Sunbirds totaling five power-play goals and one penalty-shot goal to clinch the first win of the season!
"Our team showed an incredible amount of grit being able to go on the road and get a win in a tough environment," said second-year head coach
Jonathan Miller. "We had people step up all over the pool, and it was truly a team effort to finish that game."
Salem University scored the first three goals before
Joey Brocar got the Sunbirds on the board with an assist from
Yanti Quijada. The Sunbirds continued to respond in the opening half with goals from
Tristin Fox,
Jordan Lambert,
Jesse Bryan, and
Luke Young, then closed the half with
Roberto Perez-Puente and Christiano Sandino on a penalty shot.
Giacomo Hernandez opened the Sunbirds' third-quarter scoring, and after Salem University scored twice, Fox added a power-play goal before
Ryder Stermer scored from Bryan. The tournament host struck first in the fourth quarter, but the Sunbirds followed with four consecutive goals from Fox, Young, and Stermer. The Sunbirds added late goals from
Jake Canales, Stermer, and Sandino to finish with 18 goals on 38 shots, while Salem University had 17 goals on 38 shots.
Fox led the Sunbirds with five goals on nine shots and drew three exclusions. Stermer hit his first hat trick of his career and added two assists on seven shots. Sandino finished with two goals, one assist, and two steals. In the cage, goalkeeper
Chase Hammes recorded 13 saves, four steals, and an assist.
"I'm proud of the growth our team has shown over the past three weeks and excited to see where we go from here!"
NEXT UP: Day two of the Salem Invitational will include matches against (RV) George Washington University at 9:50am PT and Johns Hopkins at 1:50pm PT. The 'Birds close out the tournament with a final match against (RV) Gannon on Sunday at 7:20 am PT.
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