SAN DIEGO - Jorge Chedraui's hat-trick powered Fresno Pacific over Point Loma, 4-1, Saturday in the PacWest conference opener. The Sunbirds began their PacWest title defense by opening the game with four consecutive scores to take control of the match and earn a big road win over the Sea Lions.
FPU improves to 3-1 overall and 1-0 in league play with the victory, while Point Loma falls to 0-3 and 0-1 in PacWest play.
"To get this result on the road against a tough, much-improved Point Loma team was fantastic," said head coach
Jaime Ramirez. "The attitude of the guys was incredible, starting from the travel all the way up to game-time. They knew the importance of earning points today, and to come out and take care of that on the road was huge. We showed up ready to play today."
Chedraui wasted no time in putting FPU on the scoreboard with a goal in the second minute, assisted by
Renato Bustamante. The forward received the pass from Bustamante and fired a right-footed shot toward the back post to put FPU up 1-0.
In the 21st minute,
Alvaro Nogales netted the second goal of the match with a strike from 15 yards out that curled over the goalkeeper.
Anthony Velarde created the opportunity and dished a pass to Nogales for the open shot.
The Sunbirds continued to attack and extended their lead to 3-0 on Chedraui's second goal of the afternoon only three minutes later.
Eric Velarde delivered a good ball off a free kick to the head of Chedraui, who powered the ball into the back of the net.
Following a Sea Lion corner kick that was contained by the Sunbird defense, Chedraui finished off his hat-trick in the 32nd minute. The sophomore stole the ball in the box and fired a shot into the bottom corner of the net to move the score to 4-0.
"Jorge was rewarded for his relentless style of play," said Ramirez. "The counter attack for us made the difference, which starts with our long ball to him. Jorge moves into the right place at the right time and was rewarded by his teammates for his hustle. He's a finisher."
A few minutes later, Nogales nearly netted another goal for the Sunbirds but the shot flew wide left. The Sea Lions managed a late goal in the first half from Mitch Wheelon to make the score at the intermission 4-1.
The FPU defense was the story of the second half and held PLNU scoreless to secure the win 4-1. Point Loma was forced to play catch-up following the four-goal deficit and the Sunbirds took advantage by drawing the Sea Lion offense offside 10 times.
Andrew Luis made two saves in the second half, and three total in the game for FPU.
The Sunbirds couldn't find the back of the net in the period, but created multiple opportunities on the offensive end.
A header from Nogales was saved in the 52nd minute before a Bustamante shot was fired wide left 10 minutes later.
Eddie Cabral and Velarde also had opportunities but missed wide.
FPU out-shot the Sea Lions on the day 13-11, while PLNU created four corner kicks to FPU's three.
The Sunbirds continue PacWest play at home on Thursday, Sept. 25 against Hawaii Hilo. The game is slated to begin at 5:00 p.m. at Ramirez Field.
