Box score
Fresno, Cailf. – The Fresno Pacific men's soccer team traveled to face The Master's College in a first round Golden State Athletic Conference playoff matchup. The Mustangs used their physicality and aggressive play to wear down the Sunbirds, and go on to beat FPU 1-0.
The Master's started the game with a high level of intensity, utilizing their speed and work rate to outshoot the Sunbirds 10 to 4 in the first half of play, and gain an edge in corners 2 to 1. However, FPU would hold firm and end the first half with the game tied at 0-0.
To open the second half of play, The Mustangs took advantage of an early FPU mistake just seconds after kick-off to score the games only goal in the 46th minute. The Master's Jon Roberts stole the ball immediately following the Sunbird's restart and was able to find teammate Marlon Lindo who advanced the ball and smashed a low driven ball from 18 yards out to beat FPU goalkeeper #Tim Nightingale.#
That was all the Mustangs would need to go on to defeat Fresno Pacific 1-0 and end the Sunbirds GSAC playoff hopes.
“Their (The Master's) physicality certainly challenged us and was difficult for us to matchup with,” acknowledged FPU head coach Jaime Ramirez. “I thought we did well defending individually at times, but need to do a better job with our collective intensity and defensive effort.”
The Mustangs outshot the Sunbirds 19 to 8, and had the edge in corners 4 to 1.
With the loss, the Sunbirds fall to 9-6-1, but as the host team have an automatic bid into the NAIA National Tournament scheduled for December 1st -6th. FPU will look to continue to tune up for the Nationals when they host Seattle Monday, November 10th. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00PM
