Box Score
HONOLULU - Ashley Tallon's 42nd minute goal would be all Fresno Pacific would need on Monday as the Sunbirds (5-4-1, 3-2-1 PacWest) returned to top form with a 1-0 shutout victory at Hawaii Pacific. After a lackluster performance on Saturday in the first game of their Hawaii road trip, the Sunbirds seemed to hit their stride both offensively and defensively on Monday.
"We had a couple days to get acclimated to the weather and the time change," said head coach
Erik Farfan. "We talked beforehand and I really felt like the girls would come out with a lot more passion and intensity in today's game and they did just that."
The team's three starting forwards for the game combined on the goal late in the first half as
Kelly Nikkel got it started by shaking off a defender in the midfield before playing the ball to
Amber Rodriguez who cut toward the middle of the field and played a perfect through ball that led to a one-on-one situation for Tallon.
"It was a beautifully constructed goal," said Farfan. "Great awareness by all three of our forwards and great composure by Ashley to finish it."
As has been the case for much of the year, a one-goal cushion would be all the Sunbirds would need as the FPU defense took care of the rest.
Sarah King posted the shutout in goal, the team's sixth of the year, while
Caressa Archie and
Ana Walker among others formed a stellar defense in front of King. FPU also got great play in the midfield from
Nayeli Deniz and
Brianna Reyes, as well as a boost off the bench from
Alyssa Pazzi.
The Sunbirds also kept up the offensive pressure in the second half, creating multiple chances including a couple that ended up being legitimate goals that were disallowed by the head official. The questionable officiating led to some frustration for the Sunbirds, as Farfan was handed two yellow cards for the first time in his 13-year FPU coaching career.
The Sea Warriors fell to 4-7, 2-4 in PacWest play with the loss.
FPU continues its Hawaii road trip on Thursday, facing Chaminade at 10 am local time, 1 pm Pacific.
