Box Score

A pair of goals by newcomers gave the Sunbirds their first win of the season as FPU downed San Francisco State 2-1 in the Seawolf Classic hosted by Sonoma State. 

The Sunbirds' (1-1-0) Renato Bustamante and Thiago Novis scored their first goals in an FPU uniform as they netted one goal apiece, the latter coming with just eight minutes remaining to win the match. SF State (1-1-0) got its goal to tie in the 53rd minute off the foot of Gabriel Flores.

FPU struck early with a goal in the 13th minute off the foot of Bustamante after he was fed into the box by senior Chris Young and finished off a rebound. 

After the first goal the Sunbirds continued to create some pressure, but could not find the back of the net for the remainder of the half despite some chances. 

"We settled into the lull of casual possession. We weren't really pushing and possessing like we need too," said head coach Jaime Ramirez. "We played it safe and kept them in the game."

SFSU knotted the game after a clearance ball took a bounce at the top of the box and Flores bent the ball into the corner just over keeper Fabian Rangel.

"Their goal was fluky," said Ramirez. "We cleared the ball and it took some weird bounces right at the top of the box. Their guy came and put it in with the outside of his foot, it was just an unfortunate play."

The goal spurred the Sunbirds to reapply the offensive pressure in order to avoid the draw and proceeded to dominate the possession. Ultimately, the game remained uneventful, despite some FPU chances, until Novis scored in the 82nd minute off the bench on a cross from senior Gustavo Silva. Novis collected the ball off his rebound and slotted it in the back of the net. The assists by Young and Silva were the first points by returners this season. 

"Thiago came in and gave us some good minutes. I thought he was effective in support of our main guys," said Ramirez. "He had the opportunity and he finished."

FPU also got quality minutes from a number of the other young freshman players on the team including Michael Laucher and Joey Belzil. Eduardo Gonzalez, a redshirt freshman, got the start for FPU in the midfield. 

The first win for the Sunbirds was far from perfect, though the team is happy to get the result on a tough day, in a tough neutral site game. 

"I think we were a little fatigued from the pervious match and perhaps sat back in possession after the first goal," said Ramirez. "We still aren't connecting quite like we want to yet. Just getting accustomed to new players takes time, but I feel like some of the guys are really starting to understand the way we do things." 

FPU will face a tough test this Friday when they travel to San Jose to face Division I San Jose State at Spartan Stadium.