Thus far in the 2012 season it's been a ferocious defense leading the way for the FPU women's soccer team. On Thursday though, with the Sunbirds trailing Hawaii Pacific 1-0 at half, an offense that has been steadily improving would unleash three goals in the second half to give the team a 3-1 PacWest victory.

It was the first time this season that the team scored multiple goals and the third match in a row that the Sunbirds (2-3-3, 2-1-2 PacWest) netted a goal. The win put the team above .500 in PacWest play for the first time as the team remained undefeated on its Hawaii road trip heading into Saturday's match at Chaminade.

"Our team showed a lot of character today," said head coach Erik Farfan. "To go down 1-0, to have to adjust our style of play, as well as adjust to the environment and field conditions, while continuing to stay on task was impressive. In my opinion it was one of our best performances as far as being resilient and showing belief in the fact that we can win games against good teams."

After giving up a late first half goal to HPU's Erika Ellis, the Sunbirds trailed 1-0 and were being out-shot by the Sea Warriors 10-1. But the second half would be a different story and leading the way would be some of the team's top defenders capitalizing on offensive opportunities.

The Sunbirds would miss on a golden opportunity early in the half when the team was awarded a penalty kick after an HPU foul that had directly prevented a goal. FPU couldn't convert though and the game remained tied. The team refused to get discouraged though and responded with its best offensive half of the season.

Colleen Rooney got the Sunbirds on the board, tying the game in the 67th minute with a long clearance shot over the keeper's head. Five minutes later Caressa Archie netted her first collegiate goal, heading in a corner kick from Jessica Castillo to give the Sunbirds a 2-1 lead.

Haley Tallon would tack on one more for the Sunbirds, capitalizing on an HPU defensive miscue in the 88th minute. The defender attempted to head the ball back to the goalie but sent it over her head before the players ran into each other. Tallon attentively got through and poked it past the keeper for the 3-1 lead that would go final two minutes later.

Sarah King was phenomenal in goal giving up just the one score in the first half and making nine saves. The FPU defense allowed few opportunities as it continued to stifle opposing strikers.

The Sunbirds' offensive outburst came even with leading goal scorer Demi Hamilton on the sidelines. Hamilton, who scored the winning goal in FPU's 1-0 win over Hawaii Hilo over the weekend, is day to day after suffering an injury in the team's tie at BYU-Hawaii.

FPU concludes its Hawaii trip on Saturday as the team faces Chaminade. The Silverswords have yet to win a game this season, coming in with an 0-5 record.