Box Score
Fresno Pacific defeated Academy of Art 2-0 on Saturday night at Ramirez Field to record the sixth shutout of the year. FPU improved to 5-5-4 overall and 5-3-3 in PacWest play while the Urban Knights fell to 4-10 overall and 2-8 in conference.

The Sunbirds came out of the gate offensive-minded in the first half, firing three quick shots from Jae Slocum, Jessica Castillo and Demi Hamilton and nearly finding the back of the net. FPU would capitalize on the chances at the 21 minute mark as Slocum delivered a beautiful through ball passed the Urban Knights defense to a sprinting Kathy Barreto who buried the pass into the back of the net for her first goal of the season.

“One of the things we have worked on is being able to play-in behind defenses,” said head coach Erik Farfan. “Kathy's opening goal was one of the things we worked on, the ability to play through and behind with good runs with pace and energy is something we see developing as the year goes on.”

FPU would continue to press the Urban Knights defense, nearly stretching the 1-0 lead following a header by Caressa Archie that seemed destined to reach the back of the net before a ARTU defender blocked the bouncing ball at the last second to record the team save. Sarah King would keep the Academy of Art offense at bay the rest of the half recording a save in the last minute before halftime.

Less than a minute into the second half the Sunbirds would capitalize on a foul in the box by Academy of Art. The Sunbirds were moving the ball on offense when Hamilton was taken down in the box that rewarded the Sunbirds with a penalty kick. The result would be a 2-0 lead for FPU following an Archie blast past the keeper for her third goal of the season.

“Caressa not only has the ability to defend, but to step up in key moments and pressure moments,” said Farfan. “She has this composure about her that is beyond her freshman year and we had the confidence in her to step up and bury the penalty for us.”

Fresno Pacific would play shutout soccer the rest of the half with stellar play from the defense headed by Colleen Rooney, Clara Buettner and Archie. The sixth shutout of the year for the Sunbirds would be finished off by a King save at the 70 minute mark before ARTU would misfire on two shots as the clock expired.

“This is the best defensive team we have had here at FPU since I have been here,” said Farfan. “The shutouts are something we want to continue to work towards as we progress in the PacWest to not only be a good offensive team but a really solid defensive team as well.”

FPU will have a full week of practice before heading to Holy Names next Saturday to play the Hawks at 6:30 pm.