Box Score

For the second straight game, FPU found itself leading 2-0 at halftime. Once again though, the team was unable to finish strong as the Sunbirds fell 3-2 to #21 Bellevue in double overtime Friday night in Hastings, Nebraska. The game was 31 seconds away from finishing in a tie when Bellevue (3-0) scored the gamewinner.

"What it comes down to is we can't put together 90 minutes," coach Jaime Ramirez said after the loss. "We need to do it soon, because the opposition only gets better from here."

FPU took a 2-0 lead into the half after getting goals from Julian Mattaliano and Paul Islas in the eighth and 27th minutes respectively. Mattaliano put in a rebound after the ball was bobbled by the keeper. Islas worked his way into the box from the right and hammered home a shot to put the Sunbirds up 2-0.

The Sunbirds would be unable to maintain that lead though, giving up two goals to BU's Kyle Kirkland in the 52nd and then in the 66th minute. Prior to the second goal, FPU was hit with a red card, the first of four that would be handed out in the game, two to each side.

In the 119th minute, BU's Ryan Cantello crossed the ball into the box and after a scramble around the goal it was headed in by David Lastra. Cantello finished with all three assists for Bellevue. FPU outshot Bellevue 12-9 in the loss.

"There were signs in each half that indicated we're a good team," said Ramirez, "but there were other times when we looked like beginners and just made some silly mistakes."

The Sunbirds (1-3) take on #10 Hastings at 7:30 pm central time tomorrow.