MERCED, Calif. – The University of California, Merced women's water polo team fell 9-6 to Fresno Pacific on Wednesday night at the Aquatics Center.
Despite the loss, the Bobcats (2-13, 0-2) held a NCAA Division II opponent to single digit goals for the first time in program history.
Makayla Hemphill led the Bobcats charge on offense with two goals and an assist. The freshman was one of five Bobcats to score. Breyenne Pierce and Ava Faria each had a goal and two assists.
Hemphill got UC Merced on the board first with a powerplay goal midway through the first quarter to tie the game 1-1. Faria dented the twine on the next possession, also on a six-on-five, to give the Bobcats their first lead of the match at 2-1. The Bobcats remained in front 2-1 at the end of the period, holding the Sunbirds scoreless for the final five and a half minutes.
Madison Marion gave the Bobcats a 3-1 advantage at the 4:40 mark of the second quarter. FPU answered Marion's goal ten seconds later to snap its nine-minute scoring drought and then pulled even in the final minute of the quarter. FPU and UC Merced were tied 3-3 at intermission.
FPU carried momentum into the third quarter, scoring three goals and doubling up the Bobcats less than three minutes in with a 6-3 lead. Pierce halted the Sunbirds goal-scoring run at the 2:15 mark, but FPU responded right away to make it a three-goal margin again at 7-4. Kiryn Wicker deposited a shot into the back of the net to cut into the Bobcats deficit once more heading into the fourth quarter, 7-5.
Hemphill got the Bobcats back within a goal with her second goal of the day coming with 5:17 left in the match. However, FPU struck back to go up 8-6 with four minutes left and shutout the Bobcats the rest of the way. FPU's Emma Cook sealed the victory inside of two minutes for the 9-6 final.
Makenzie Royal had ten saves and three steals.
Up next, UC Merced will host Concordia University Irvine on Friday, March 20. Opening sprint from the Aquatics Center in Merced, Calif., is scheduled for 5:00pm.
