Box score
Fresno, Cailf. – The Fresno Pacific men's soccer team traveled to Fullerton today to face a scrappy and physical Hope International University squad, beating the Royals 2-0 in their final Golden State Athletic Conference match of the regular season.
The game started slowly with each team making a solid defensive effort, but neither team creating many offensive chances or establishing much rhythm in possession. With both teams held scoreless, the first half would end tied 0-0.
However, the Sunbirds offense would come to life during the second half in the 56th minute when FPU's Gabriel Ramirez converted a direct free kick from the left outside of the Royal's penalty area. Ramirez was able to shoot and bend the ball precisely into the upper right hand corner of the HIU net giving Royal's goalkeeper Matt Fike no chance to make the save.
Ramirez would again be involved a short time later in the 78th minute scoring the second goal that gave the Sunbirds a 2-0 cushion. FPU's #Sebastian Villasenor# was able to receive a long diagonal pass sent over the top of the Hope defensive line by teammate #Vitor Machado#. Villasenor was then able to serve the ball from the right side of the field back across the HIU goal mouth where Ramirez was able to slam home his 2nd goal of the afternoon, and 5th of the season.
With neither team scoring throughout the remainder of the contest, the match would end 2-0 in favor of the Sunbirds.
“Today's win felt good in that we snapped a bit of a losing streak, and it was important for us to gain some momentum going into playoffs next week,” said Ramirez.
“I thought it was really good for some of the younger guys to get some quality time,” commented FPU head coach Jaime Ramirez. “Field conditions were certainly a factor and suited their style of play, but I liked the fight a lot of our guys had in addition to their composure considering the physical nature of Hope's play.”
With the win, the Sunbirds improve to 9-5-1 (5-4-1 GSAC) and will a travel for a first round playoff game next Wednesday, November 5th against The Master's. Kickoff TBA.
