Box Score Fresno Pacific opened the NCCAA National Tournament with a 2-0 win over Mid-American Christian University. Bruno Pessoa and Jorge Chedraui both netted goals for FPU.

The Sunbirds (16-4-1) started the first half in disarray on offense turning the ball over in transition and allowing MACU (11-8-1) to apply early offensive pressure and create two chances within the first 20 minutes.

Pessoa scored in the 45th minute just before halftime after he settled a rebound off his own shot for his first goal of the season. The 1-0 halftime lead seemed to open up of the floodgates offensively in the second half, but FPU was repeatedly unable to finish its chances in the final third.

FPU was able to attack the outside backs of the Evangels defense in the second half, which led to a number of plays in front of the net for the Sunbirds. Gustavo Silva found the right touch on a cross that found Jorge Chedraui in the 70th minute to give FPU the 2-0 lead.

With goals playing such a pivotal part, due to NCCAA tiebreak rules, the Sunbirds pressed hard in the final 13 minutes to find a third goal, but none came. Chedraui and Silva both missed premium chances in the final 10 minutes.

Defensively the Sunbirds picked up right where they left off in a shutout win over Azusa Pacific that earned them a spot in the nationals. With the exception of a few chances in the first half FPU was able to control the pace of play and keep Mid-America Christian out of the attacking third. Goalkeeper Fabian Rangel finished with seven saves, and a back line of Luke Tyler, Ivan Mirkovic, Nick Watson, Chris Young and Julian Mattaliano helped register the Sunbirds second straight shutout.

Fresno Pacific will have the day off on Tuesday before resuming play on Wednesday against Lee University (Tenn.) at 2:00 p.m.