Box Score

Fresno Pacific exploded for five goals for the second time this season, downing Menlo 5-2 in Atherton on Saturday.

The Sunbirds are a team with the potential to really light up the scoreboard, but to this point in the season a 5-1 win over #16 Holy Names had been overshadowed by two 4-1 losses against NCAA opponents and a lackluster win over Corban earlier this week.

It appears, they've begun to turn the corner.

"It was really encouraging to see how the guys really got after it in the first 30 minutes ," said coach Jaime Ramirez. "The guys played fast and did a good job of getting into their half. I was really encouraged by the good results we got after making some lineup changes."

One of the moves was to move midfielder Alexis Hernandez to the outside and it paid off as the Sunbird sophomore recorded an assist and pressured the defense on Saturday. Bruno Pessoa continued to make an impact up-top, scoring a goal for the fourth consecutive game, while Paul Islas did his usual damage, finishing with a goal and an assist.

Freshman Guillermo Talancon also caused the Menlo defense problems up-top and Fabricio Nazare helped the Sunbirds control the midfield while finishing with a goal and two assists.

It took just one minute and 18 seconds for the Sunbirds to get on the board, as Luke Tyler scored his first collegiate goal on an assist from Nazare. The Sunbirds struck again in the 17th minute when Hernandez crossed the ball to the far post, leading to a phenomenal goal by Pessoa and a 2-0 FPU lead.

Islas added to his team-leading point total with a goal in the 26th minute from Nazare. Nazare then found the net four minutes later on a well-struck free kick from outside the box.

Menlo scored on a penalty kick before halftime, but Gustavo Silva scored his first goal of the season early in the second half off a pass from Islas to make it 5-1. The Oaks scored in the 69th minute off a rebound shot for the final score.

Andre Costa played 70 minutes in goal for the Sunbirds, allowing both goals but making five saves.

FPU improves to 3-2 with the win and drops Menlo to 2-3. The Oaks schedule so far this season has included one-goal losses to GSAC team Point Loma Nazarene and Hope International, and a 2-1 win over San Diego Christian.

Ramirez says the Sunbirds will face a tough task on Saturday when they travel to the San Diego area to take on CSU San Marcos next Saturday, saying the Cougars are a strong, physical, aggressive opponent. CSU San Marcos also typically boasts one of the loudest home crowds in the NAIA.