Box score
Fresno, Calif. – The FPU women's soccer team struggled today keeping up with a talented and fast Cal Baptist team, ranked #6 in the most recent NAIA pole. The Lancer's were lead by freshman Kylie Nicassio who recorded four goals on the afternoon.
Nicassio scored her first of the day in the 16th minute after being first to react to a rebound created by a Lancer shot, shooting the ball to give CBU an early 1-0 lead.
Less than six minutes later, Nicassio struck again. In the 22nd minute, after running onto a ball teammate Jacquelyn Witz's headed into space, she was able to beat FPU defender #Ashley Soderholm# to the ball as she slid to shoot past Sunbird goalkeeper #Justine Caldera# to make it 2-0 in favor of CBU.
The two would connect again just seven minutes later to give Nicassio the hat trick. Nicassio finished her third of the day in the 29th minute after reading a cross from teammate Witz that Caldera had unsuccessfully attempted to punch out of danger. The ball ricocheted conveniently to Nicassio's feet allowing her to one-touch it in for her third of the contest.
The Lancers would continue their onslaught scoring two more times in the first half off goals from Diana Ravenda in the 35th, and Courtney Sewell in the 39th to make it 5-0 at halftime, leaving the Sunbirds scratching their heads.
However, FPU was able to come out the second half with an increased level of intensity, creating a handful of chances, one of which resulted in the Sunbirds being rewarded a penalty kick after freshman Tori Alvarez was fouled off the ball in the Lancer's penalty area. Junior forward #Ashley Sherr# stepped up to convert the penalty kick in the 51st minute and record her 9th goal of the season to breathe some life back into the Sunbirds.
FPU finally found a rhythm to their play, and created periods of possession which resulted in a handful of chances, but no additional goals. They were able to hold off the Lancers for what was the longest period of the match, until none other than Kylie Nicassio would convert her fourth goal of the day in the 75th minute and retake the momentum for CBU.
The Sunbirds would not give up and showed continued spirit and determination in their second half performance. They would answer again in the 80th minute on a #Diana Ortega# corner that found the head of teammate Amy Kampf to make it 6-2, and give the FPU faithful something to cheer about.
However, Sunbird cheers would turn to jeers just three minutes later when CBU's Amanda Lammers would slam home the Lancers seventh and final goal of the contest to end the game 7-2 in favor of #6 Cal Baptist.
“It was truly a tale of two halves,” Sunbird head coach #Erik Farfan# said. “It's a bit frustrating because we were essentially nonexistent the first 45 minutes, which resulted in the lopsided score in favor of CBU. I thought we made a more concerted and honest effort in the second half, which created a much more even matchup and a 2-2 half. Take nothing away from Cal Baptist, they played a great game, but I know we can be better, and we must be better to compete in the GSAC.”
With the loss, the Sunbirds drop to 7-4-2 overall (3-4 GSAC) and will look to rebound in their next contest as they host #15 Concordia University at Ramirez field next Saturday, October 25th. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00PM.
