The Sunbirds started their 2013 home season similar to how they finished 2012's, with a 3-1 win over a conference opponent. Fresno Pacific got goals from two freshmen and a senior in the win over Dixie State, the first ever meeting between the two programs.

Jorge Chedraui put the Sunbirds (2-1-1, 1-0 PWC) on the board first in the 24th minute, finishing off a great feed from senior defender Adrian Arias, and Joey Belzil sealed the deal with a beautiful chip shot over the Dixie State (0-2-1, 0-1 PWC) goalkeeper's head in the 80th minute, again on a pass from Arias.

Senior Luke Tyler scored on a penalty kick just before the half to give FPU a 2-0 lead at the half. Dixie State's Jara Eshete got the Red Storm on the board with a pinball goal that the Sunbirds failed to corral in the 66th minute.

"It was important for us to get this one," said head coach Jaime Ramirez. "Especially given the current status with the number of injuries we have to several starters."

FPU was without Preseason PacWest Player of the Year Alvaro Nogales and Preseason All-PacWest Defender Ivan Mirkovic who were both nursing injuries suffered last week. The Sunbirds have also been without defender Julian Mattaliano the entire season as he recovers from an injury sustained in training camp.

It was a game dominated by the Sunbirds who controlled the ball for most of the 90 minutes with an improved showing of team chemistry and a glimpse of the possession oriented style FPU is known for.

"I thought we did some good things, we created some opportunities," said Ramirez. "We just couldn't put the ball in the back of the net as many times as I thought we could have early in the game."

The Sunbirds were off to the races creating a lot of chances in the Red Storm's final third in the first several minutes putting up five shots early on in the contest. Chedraui finally broke through for FPU with a solid strike of a ball fed into the box on a strong effort play by Arias who slid to beat the defender to the ball.

Just before the half Belzil, after missing an early opportunity, pushed his way into the box where he was drug down by defender Alex Lawhun drawing the penalty kick. Tyler calmly took the PK making up for a missed opportunity his last chance at a penalty in 2012.

"I got to redeem myself from last year," said Tyler. "Last season I made a little goof, it felt good to put that one away."

Solid play at the back from Tyler and fellow senior Chris Young kept Dixie State at bay, even as the Red Storm made a hard push to begin the second half. Keeper Fabian Rangel stopped six shots on the night doubling his previous season high.

"Our back line was steady. Fabian made some very significant saves for us," said Ramirez.

Belzil finished off DSU as the Sunbirds earned their first PacWest win of 2013.

FPU will now turn their attention to former GSAC rival Westmont when they square off with the Warriors in Santa Barbara on Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.