MERCED, Calif. – Fresno Pacific (12-6) had a tough day with back-to-back games with West Valley and Merced, but came out on top with wins in both meetings. The Sunbirds came back on West Valley in the third quarter to win 13-12 and then jumped back in the pool to win decisively over Merced, 13-5.
The Sunbirds were down 4-7 at halftime to West Valley, but put together a five goal run in the third to pull within one. They finished up the comeback to win by one after the fourth quarter.
Coach Brian Suhovy praised his team, “Overcoming a five goal deficit in the third quarter, and rallying back with a five goal run to bring the game to a one-point game was a huge mental victory for us.”
“We have struggled in the past during the third quarter but not today. The team showed a lot of maturity and growth in the game against West Valley stepping up and taking care of business. I am proud of how we played today,” concluded Coach Suhovy.
Nick Fadden and
Glen Lyon both put up four goals apiece in both games finishing up the weekend with eight goals apiece.
Riley Warner came up big with 10 saves against West Valley and 8 against Merced. Warner was a major part in the Sunbirds comeback against West Valley holding them to five goals in the second half while Fresno Pacific charged ahead with nine goals.
Coach Suhovy followed up, “It was a good two games after a two week break as we head it one of our toughest weeks yet.” The Sunbirds will take on Cal Baptist at home on Thursday, October 22, and then travel to Santa Clara for four games, three being top-20 teams: Brown, No. 14 Davis, No. 10 Concordia, and No. 19 St Francis.
Coach Suhovy projects, “It will be a great opportunity to really see how we have grown and improved over the course of the last three season.”
The Sunbirds tough week will begin at Clovis West against Cal Baptist on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.