Box score
Fresno, Cailf. – The Fresno Pacific men's soccer team hosted propspective Division I institution Seattle University (14-2-1) at Ramirez Field earlier today, losing to the Redhawks 4-2 in a 6 goal thriller.
The Sunbirds opened the scoring in just the 4th minute of play when junior #Vitor Machado# was first to react to a rebound created by an FPU shot, and knock it in to give Fresno Pacific the early 1-0 lead.
The Redhawks responded shortly after in the 22nd minute when Seattle's Mutanda Kwesele crossed from the right side and teammate Andrew Kreiter put it away to make it 1-1.
FPU would answer right back to retake the lead just a minute later when #Daniel Spieth# converted a penalty kick to record his 13th goal of the season. Sunbirds were awarded the PK in the 23rd minute just seconds following the restart after conceding the equalizing goal just a minute earlier.
Seattle University would get one back just before the half to level it once again. In the 42nd minute, Redhawk's Sean Morris served a free kick diagonally across the FPU goal box where teammate Jake Ellig was able to run onto the ball and slot it home to make it 2-2. Although outshooting the Redhawks 12-3, the Sunbirds found themselves tied at the half.
The second half would be more of the same. The Sunbirds once again out shot the Redhawks 9 to 6, but were unable to capitalize on any of their chances.
Seattle University would however score the go ahead goal in the 51st minute when Kyle Peterman's shot slipped through the hands of FPU goalkeeper #Tim Nightingale#, and into the Sunbird goal to give the Redhawks a 3-2 lead.
SU would finally put the game away late in the 84th minute when Marshall Kosaka was able to beat an FPU defender and score a blast past Nightingale to end the game at 4-2.
Despite the loss, FPU head coach Jaime Ramirez was pleased with the team's overall performance.
“I liked our effort and intensity today,” commended Ramirez. “Defensively we did great and I thought we did a better job of creating in our attack. We just made some mistakes and need to finish our opportunities.”
With the loss, the Sunbirds fall to 9-7-1 but are looking forward to their automatic bid as the host of the 2008 NAIA National Tournament scheduled for Dec 1st through the 6th. Game dates and times are still to be determined.
