Box Score

Fresno Pacific tied its highest scoring total of the season but was unable to withstand a scoring outburst by Notre Dame de Namur, dropping a nailbiter 4-3 in its season finale.

The Sunbirds would be forced to battle back after falling behind 2-0 in the first 20 minutes after NDNU goals by Massiel Castellanos and Jessica Santos.

FPU would be up to the challenge however as Jae Slocum, playing in her final game as a Sunbird, made a great run down the left side to break away from the defense and delivered a perfect pass to Ashley Tallon who netted the goal in the 24th minute to make it 2-1.

Just minutes later, Nayeli Deniz played a great ball through the middle and Slocum used her superior speed to beat the defense for a one-on-one with the keeper. Slocum delivered the equalizer and the teams would head into halftime tied 2-2.

"It was nice that we were able to respond the way we did and find the equalizer before the half," said head coach Erik Farfan. "Unfortunately it wasn't our best defensive effort today. Anytime we score three goals we feel like we should be in a position to win but obviously it takes a complete performance on both sides."

The Argos would score five minutes into the second half though to take a 3-2 lead. The Sunbirds had their chances, but NDNU added another goal in the 75th minute to make it 4-2.

The refused to go quietly though, battling to get the ball up and create scoring opportunities and it paid off in the 85th minute as Sara Vega rifled a shot off of an Argo defender and Dora Vega quickly swooped in and netted it for the goal to make it 4-3. It was a great way to end an amazing Sunbird career for Vega, who started her FPU career in 2004 and came back to finish her senior season this year.

The Sunbirds would do everything they could in the closing minutes but couldn't find the net as the Argos held on for the win. NDNU finished the year 8-9-1, 7-6-1 in PacWest play.

FPU ended the season with a record of 5-7-5, 5-5-4 in PacWest play. The Sunbirds finished ninth out of 14 teams in their first season in the NCAA Division II conference.

FPU brings back some talented players for next season's team, specifically on the defensive end with Caressa Archie and Sarah King returning.

"We're certainly headed in the right direction as far as the competitiveness in our first season in the PacWest," said Farfan. "Each game was a battle and there were no easy games for either side. We're excited with what we were able to do and we're looking to keep moving forward next year and break into that top half of the conference. We're going to work hard in the offseason to bring some more talented student-athletes to Fresno Pacific."