Box Score

Mihailo Jovanovic scored the game's only goal in the 22nd minute as FPU defeated Hope International 1-0 in Fullerton in the GSAC opener on Saturday.

The Sunbirds (4-4, 1-0) played all of their subs in a game that was played in scorching heat conditions, with temperatures over 100. The heat may have been an advantage to the Sunbirds, who had training camp during one of the hottest weeks of the year in Fresno.

FPU came out looking to score early and then buckle down on defense.

“We came in and put pressure on them right away,” said coach Jaime Ramirez. “That freed us to get settled in defensively.”

They got the early goal when Julian Mattaliano crossed the ball into the box and found Jovanovic, who scored his third goal in the last two games.

The Sunbirds had a couple more shots bounce off the crossbar, but the one goal was all they would need.

In the second half, the Sunbirds withstood an attacking HIU team desperate to get a goal on the board. Ramirez applauded his defense after the game, particularly Mattaliano, Jorge Becerra, Luke Tyler and Chris Young.

“They did a great job of staying organized and not giving [HIU] any opportunities,” he said.

Gildardo Villaruel had three saves in goal for the Sunbirds, playing the last 58 minutes after Steven Waite was injured in the first half on a 50/50 ball.

FPU has won three in a row after dropping four in a row. The four losses have come against ranked opponents while the four wins have come against teams not expected to qualify nationally.

The Sunbirds get a true test on Wednesday night in the GSAC home opener when they host defending national runner-up The Master's (4-1-2, 1-0). The Mustangs began the season at No. 2 in the NAIA, but have since fallen out of the rankings. They defeated Point Loma Nazarene in overtime in San Diego today.