Box score
Fresno, Calif. – The Fresno Pacific men's soccer team lost tonight at Ramirez field 2-1 against The Master's College (10-1-4, 5-1-3 GSAC) in a Golden State Athletic Conference matchup. The Mustangs proved to be too much for the Sunbirds, and used their physicality and aggressiveness to impose their style of play onto a depleted FPU squad.
The Master's scored first in the 40th minute when Jon Roberts received a long diagonal pass from teammate Doug Armstrong, which flew over the top of the Sunbird defensive line who appeared to have expected an offside call that never came. Roberts was able to settle the ball, beat oncoming FPU goalkeeper #Brandon Cave#, and score the first goal of the match to give the Mustangs a 1-0 lead.
Each team had limited chances in the first half with the Sunbirds having the edge in shots with six to the Eagle's five. FPU also lead in corners four to two.
The Mustangs would start the second half strong and strike again in the 54th minute to take a 2-0 lead when FPU defender #Jonathan Solarzano# was dispossessed and possibly fouled by Mustang forward Marlon Lindo. With no call being made, Lindo proceeded to goal and converted the one on one against FPU goalkeeper #Tim Nightingale# who had subbed in for an injured Cave. With that, The Master's extended their lead to 2-0.
The Sunbirds would eventually get one back in the 84th minute. FPU's #Raul Pacheco made a great individual run with the ball down the right side of the field and cut it back across the eighteen yard box where junior forward Daniel Spieth# shot to scored his 11th goal of the season, and bring the Sunbirds back within one.
However, that was not enough for FPU with the game ending The Master's College 2, Fresno Pacific University 1.
“They're a good team,” recognized FPU head coach Jaime Ramirez. “Today was a physical game and their team physicality gave them the opportunity to win the game.”
With the loss, the Sunbirds fall to 8-5-1 (4-4-1 GSAC) and will be back in action Saturday, November 1st when they travel to Fullerton to face Hope International University. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30PM.
