FRESNO, CA. -- FPU freshman Rodrigo Vianna Ferreira recorded a hat trick as Fresno Pacific tied Hope International 3-3 on Saturday at Ramirez Field in their Conference opener.

The Sunbirds took control of the match early on, but the Lions struck first against the run of play in the 26th minute off of a Mathew Howard header to take the 1-0 lead.

Vianna equalized for the Sunbirds in the 35th minute off a header of his own served in by teammate Gabriel Ramirez for his first of the contest.

Fresno Pacific continued to put Hope under pressure and finished the first half with an 11-3 shot advantage, but was unable to capitalize leaving the game deadlocked 1-1 at the break.

To open the second half of play, Hope's Bran Edgar struck again for the Lions in the 53rd minute on a 35 yard blast that found the left side of the Fresno Pacific net making it a 2-1 game.

Vianna and the Sunbirds answered again in the 63rd minute to tie it with Vianna's second goal of the contest coming off a Devon Grousis assist. Vianna then scored again in the 69th minute after receiving a Vitor Machado pass to complete the hat trick and give FPU the 3-2 lead.

Even then, the Lion's would live up to their name and did not give up hope.

HIU's Brady Hansen's 84th minute equalizer sent the contest into overtime during which neither side was able to score ending the match at 3-3.

Fresno Pacific had a commanding 24-9 shot advantage, in addition to a 5-0 edge in corner kicks.

The Sunbirds are currently 4-1-1 and play at The Master's on Wednesday, September 30th.