Box Score

A goal by freshman Joey Belzil in the 56th minute lifted the Sunbirds to a 1-0 victory over Azusa Pacific and punched their ticket to a second straight appearance in the NCCAA National Tournament in Florida.

"Beating an opponent like Azusa two times in a row is fantastic for us. The game itself, both games really, were epic battles and it came down to the minimum difference," said head coach Jaime Ramirez. "These are the kinds of games that you want to play; these are the kinds of games you remember."

Belzil registered his sixth goal of the season off a rebound after Bruno Pessoa forced APU keeper Chip Cox to make a save. The freshman from Quartz Hill, Calif. had a wide open shot that he slotted into the back of the net to put FPU up 1-0 and ultimately seal a second consecutive trip to the NCCAA National Tournament.

"It's a big goal obviously. We needed it to go to Florida," said Belzil. "I couldn't have gotten that goal without Bruno. He played it just right to where even if he didn't score it deflected it to me."

It didn't look good for the Sunbirds early when one of their top offensive weapons, sophomore Alvaro Nogales, went down with a lower leg injury in the 11th minute of the game. Nogales did not return to the match.

Despite the early injury, both teams fell into rhythm on the offensive end quickly despite the inability by either side to finish their chances. APU had a great chance in the 18th minute that went off the crossbar, but the Cougars were flagged for being offside and the Sunbirds were able to avoid danger. Just eight minutes later FPU had its golden chance of the first half when Gustavo Silva had an open look on goal, but his shot bounced off the post and out.

After a scoreless first half Fresno Pacific came out with a renewed sense of urgency and created multiple opportunities early in the period putting together two chances within the first five minutes. In the 56th minute FPU struck with Belzil's goal.

Goalkeeper Fabian Rangel and the Sunbird defense were able to withstand a barrage of offensive attacks from APU, especially in the final 20 minutes, to hang on for the win. Rangel recorded his third shutout of the year stopping all four shots that came his way in the 90 minutes.

"We have a lot of seniors on this team that were there last year," said Ramirez. "There is a level of purpose behind this experience now that allows us to feel and believe that there is unfinished business and that we are capable of finishing this thing off."

FPU will now await its seeding for the NCCAA National Tournament which will be held at the Austin-Tindall Soccer Complex in Kissimmee, Florida from December 2-7.