IRVINE, Calif. - It was a big week for the Concordia women' water polo team as they defeated University of Toronto on Wednesday, Feb. 21 and flew into the home opener against Fresno Pacific on Friday afternoon. It was a beautiful, sunny day for the Golden Eagles at the Woollett Aquatic Center and they were ready to take flight. 

Seizing the moment, Tessa Tavaglione won the first sprint of the match (and every sprint thereafter) and launched the game into action. The first period flew by with many saves, shots, and valiant attempts to gain a lead in the game. It wasn't until fifteen seconds remaining that the Sunbirds scored the first goal of the match on a power play.  

Heading into the second, Andie Perreira captured the first CUI goal with two minutes remaining. The assist came from Sofia Dominguez during a power-play, making it CUI 1 – FPU 2. 

There's a reason the third period was magical. After a good reset, the Golden Eagles came out of the gates soaring. For most of the game, goalie Jaden Soto held off the Sunbirds' offense with her impressive saves. But the Golden Eagles offense didn't hold back in the third or the fourth period! 

With lightning speed, Melinna Galbraith found the back of the cage and was soon followed by Lily Ensley with an assist from Tessa Tavaglione. In only a minute, Andie Perreira did it again and captured her second goal of the day for the Golden Eagles. Galbraith received credit for yet another impressive assist. The Sunbirds were losing momentum fast. Taking advantage of the shift in the game, Abby Mammen secured another CUI goal to take the lead CUI 5, FPU 4. Additional shot attempts were made by both teams, but the score remained relatively close and unchanged.

In the fourth, Concordia outscored the Sunbirds. Tamsyn Evezard made her presence known at the very start. With precision, Evezard captured the back of the net for another Concordia goal, making it 6-4. At 3:41, Andie Perreira recorded her third goal for CUI with an assist from Galbraith. FPU managed to put up two goals in the fourth, but Concordia secured the win on a power play by Melinna Galbraith with forty-four seconds left on the clock. 

Concordia defeated FPU with a final score of 8-6. 

What a great close to the home opener! The Golden Eagles are on the hunt for their next win and will take on Biola on Wednesday, February 28.

CLICK HERE for the full 2024 women's water polo schedule.