Women’s Water Polo Takes the Tide

Photo provided by Miranda Duarte

The Tyge’s 13 goals propelled them past the Sunbirds. 

Sophomore Maja Lizh Dulic started in goal for Pacific alongside the starting line-up of senior Addison McGowan, redshirt sophomore Alicia Petkov, junior Dora Alaksza, senior Hila Futorian, senior Natalie Johnston, and sophomore Ella Cowan. The starting squad started their offensive attack immediately, with Johnston securing the opening sprint, and scoring the opening goal just twenty-six seconds into the game. The play was aided by a one-man advantage after an exclusion call, with Petkov drawing the kick-out. 

At 5:22, Alaksza converted a penalty shot following a penalty foul drawn by Johnston. Fresno Pacific University (FPU) responded with their first point at 4:46 in the first period, but McGowan quickly answered 14 seconds later with a penalty shot, capitalizing on another penalty foul drawn by Petkov. With just 20 seconds left in the period, Petkov fired a shot into the cage, assisted by Johnston, closing the first quarter with a commanding 5-1 lead for Pacific.

Johnston won the second-quarter sprint, keeping Pacific in control, and initiated a scoring play just 24 seconds into the possession, as Petkov found the net off a Cowan assist. Midway through the period, Pacific took a full timeout at 5:19, a move that ignited a shift in momentum. Twenty seconds later, Futorian scored, again assisted by Cowan, benefiting from a power play advantage. Senior Ilyana Zlobinsky followed with a goal, recovering her own rebound after an initial shot was swatted away by FPU’s goalie. She quickly scored again on a power play, assisted by McGowan. Petkov and Zlobinsky each tallied two goals in the second period, extending Pacific’s lead to 9-1 at halftime.

With a perfect 3-for-3 record on opening sprints, Johnston secured possession once again to start the third quarter. The period opened sluggishly, with two turnovers and two missed shot attempts before Futorian finally broke through at 5:43, assisted by Cowan. Just 40 seconds later, Johnston found the back of the net off another Cowan assist, stretching Pacific’s lead to 11-3. Following a Pacific timeout after an exclusion on the Tigers, sophomore Anna Crum took charge, scoring off another Cowan assist at the 4:24 mark. Despite three more empty shot attempts and three turnovers, Pacific’s defense held strong, preventing Fresno Pacific from capitalizing during the scoring drought.

The period ended with Dulic making a key save, securing possession as the clock wound down. With just two seconds remaining, she launched the ball full-court, landing it just feet from the net. Laughing, she turned to her teammates and said, “I didn’t see the time! Thank you for letting me know.” over the blaring horn signaling the end of the quarter. The Tigers maintained their dominant 12-3 lead heading into the final period.

Heading into the fourth, the squad huddled along the baseline, floating in the water as they awaited the start of play. Freshman Laurel Cooper took over in goal, while sophomore Tèa Fitzgerald took the opening sprint as Pacific adjusted its lineup. Although the Tigers maintained defensive intensity, they endured a scoring drought that lasted from the 4:34 mark of the third quarter until sophomore Millie Jacobson broke through with a fierce shot, assisted by freshman Kyra Lurito, with 2:50 left in the game. As the game wound down, Pacific controlled possession to run out the clock. Despite totaling seven turnovers and two empty shot attempts, the Tigers’ younger players gained valuable experience, deterring the Fresno Pacific Sunbirds from a comeback. Pacific finished the game with an impressive .419 shot percentage and a .500 power play conversion rate, ultimately securing a 13-5 victory.

With the win, Pacific holds a 20-0 all-time record against Fresno Pacific. Pacific’s win against Fresno Pacific completes their final non-conference game of the season and the first of four consecutive home games to end the regular season. Next, Pacific will face San Diego State on April 4 in a crucial Golden Coast Conference division matchup.

For all the latest on Pacific women's water polo, be sure to follow the team on X (@UOPWaterPoloU), Instagram (@pacificwaterpolo), and the team's official Facebook page (Pacific Women's Water Polo).