Live Stats
After a 5-1 thrashing of Trinity Lutheran on Thursday night the Sunbirds are on the cusp of a National Championship berth in their first year in the NCCAA. To get there, they will have to take down California Baptist on Saturday afternoon.
The defending NCCAA Champion Lancers (13-4-2) defeated Azusa Pacific 2-1 in Azusa on Thursday's semi-final matchup that setup a rematch and an all PacWest final in the West Region.
The Last Time They Met
CBU was victorious earlier this season in the Sunbirds first ever PacWest match when the Lancers came back from a 2-1 deficit after two early red cards were issued to Fresno Pacific. California Baptist went on to score three second half goals with the two man advantage and took the win 4-2.
Paul Islas and Fabricio Nazare each had a goal and Nazare added an assist on Islas' goal to give the Sunbirds a 2-0 lead. Just after the start of the second half Fresno Pacific was hit with two red cards, one to Gustavo Silva and the other to Nazare, and the Lancers took advantage.
Three goals pushed CBU to the win, their second consecutive over Fresno Pacific.
What to Expect
The Sunbirds have been on an offensive tear for the better part of the season. FPU leads the PacWest in scoring with 218 points in 19 matches this season. Their nearly four goals per game leads all PacWest teams and ranks them second in the NCCAA.
Fresno Pacific scored two goals in the first half of their first meeting with California Baptist on PacWest Goalkeeper of the Year Joey Pacheco.
Islas, Silva, Nazare, Alvaro Nogales and Rodrigo Vianna have been clicking on all cylinders since a 3-2 loss to Hawaii Pacific on September 27, which was also the last time the Sunbirds lost a match.
It will be strength on strength against the Lancers who boast one of the best defenses in the PacWest and the NCCAA giving up an average of just .69 goals per game on the season.
CBU is led by their two All-Conference defenders, Carlos Figueroa and Tyler Aagard, who have helped hold opponents to just 14 goals in its 19 matches this season and score eight shutouts.
On the offensive end for the Lancers are led by All-Conference forward Michael Salazar who has a team leading six goals on the season and four assists.
CBU leads a balanced offensive attack that lacks a standout scorer but distributes the ball incredibly well. Nine players have scored multiple goals this season and nine players have also recorded at least three assists though no player has double-digits in either category.
The Sunbirds boast a very stingy defense themselves allowing just 21 goals and only six goals since Fabian Rangel took over the starting job after the loss to Hawaii Pacific.
Center backs Luke Tyler and Ivan Mirkovic anchor a swarming defense that is also very good at moving the ball forward and starting offensive possession from the back.
Even without one of their top defenders Adrian Arias the Sunbirds are still able to consistently win balls and prevent opponents from generating many opportunities.
Both teams come into the match on a hot streak with FPU winning their last 11 matches while the Lancers have won or tied seven of their last eight matches. Their only loss came in overtime against the No. 7 team in Division II Grand Canyon.
The game is set for a 1 pm kick-off at Ramirez Field between the Sunbirds and the Lancers. Tickets are $3 for all fans and the first 50 students will receive free admission.
