Fresno, Calif. – The FPU women's soccer team showed heart and determination this evening at Ramirez field, grinding out a 4-3 win in overtime against Biola. The Sunbirds had a promising start, but nearly compromised the game after having established an early 2-0 first-half lead.
Senior Julie Ramirez opened the scoring for FPU in the 4th minute in brilliant fashion, beating Eagles goalkeeper Lauren Gregston on a well headed ball teammate Ida Rodriguez had crossed into the area. The Sunbirds would strike again in the 44th minute on a set play when sophomore Jessica Pereschica nodded in her own header off of a Diana Ortega serve.
Not to be outdone, Biola came out strong to open the second half of play. Within the first minute, Eagle's forward Brittany Niell connected on a Kate Glenn cross, heading it past FPU goalkeeper Justine Caldera and into the back of the net. The Sunbirds would regain their two goal cushion shortly after when in the 49th minute freshman Tori Alvarez recorded her 9th goal of the season. Alvarez timed her run perfectly and finished a ball teammate Ashley Sherr had driven across the mouth of the goal to the far post, where she was to put it away.
But the Eagles would keep on coming. In the 58th minute FPU defender Randele Lawrence mistimed a tackle, fouling a Biola player inside the box, and giving the center referee little choice but to award a penalty kick. Caitlin Petersen was able to breathe life back into the Eagles by converting the penalty and bringing Biola back within one again. Shortly after that in the 69th minute, Biola's Ashley Moseley would complete the comeback and react quickly to score the equalizer off a header. With neither team scoring in final 20 minutes, the game would go into overtime tied at 3-3.
During the two overtime periods, FPU was able to retake control of the game, limiting Biola to just one shot and no corners. The Sunbirds were able to get six shots and two corners during extra time, and were eventually awarded a penalty kick off of a hand ball call in the box. Ashley Sherr stepped up to convert the game winning penalty in the 105th minute to record her 7th goal of the season, and get the full three points for the Sunbirds.
With the win the Sunbirds improve to 6-2-2 overall (2-2 GSAC) and will look to build off this positive result when they travel to face San Diego Christian College this Saturday, October 12th. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00PM.
