SAN RAFAEL, Calif. – Fresno Pacific's Alvaro Nogales netted a goal in the 66th minute to down host Dominican 1-0 in PacWest action Saturday at Kennelly Field. FPU recorded its second clean sheet of the season to earn the victory.

The Sunbirds improve to 8-2 overall and 6-1 in conference action with the win, while Dominican falls to 0-10-1 overall and 0-5 in league play.

"Dominican came out and was very energetic and played hard," said head coach Jaime Ramirez. "They can play and do some good things. They were very direct in moving the ball forward and we didn't close down the service like we have in the past. It was a sluggish effort on our part, but we defended well none the less. They didn't have any clear opportunities, which I was pleased with."

The Sunbirds had opportunities in the first half, but couldn't capitalize and find the back of the net. FPU totaled seven shots in the opening period and created four corner kicks.

"At halftime we talked about effort and we decided to put some guys in that gave us some fresh legs," said Ramirez. "Matheus Hofmeister was phenomenal and was the player of the half. His defense, his ability to win balls and his decision making was brilliant. He played with a lot of energy and was just fantastic."

The newly energized Sunbirds were finally able to find the back of the net in the 66th minute behind Nogales. The junior capitalized on a run by Dylan Rusconi, who fought threw a defender and fired a pass from the box to Nogales for a one-timer. It's Nogales' sixth goal of the year and third game-winning goal of the season. The Sunbirds had another golden chance in the 76th minute on a run from Renato Bustamante, but the Dominican keeper made a brilliant save at the near post.

"Dylan was phenomenal, he fought and gave us second and third chances," said Ramirez. "The back line was solid behind Nick Starr and Dallas Whitlow. Martin Kams also was his usual self. I was extremely happy with Guillermo Talancon at left back and being a team player by playing a new position where his teammates needed him. His leadership showed and he did an outstanding job. The guys did what they needed to do to get the victory."

Andrew Luis made one save in the victory, while the FPU defense drew the Penguins offside four times on the afternoon. FPU out-shot DU 13-9 in the win.

The Sunbirds play a non-conference match against Cal Poly Pomona on Tuesday, Oct. 14 on the road next. The game is slated to begin at 6:30 p.m.