FRESNO, Calif. - The top offense in the PacWest was on display once again Saturday night as #16-ranked Fresno Pacific demolished conference rival Concordia, 9-2, at Ramirez Field. The nine goals was a season high for the Sunbirds and marked the highest scoring output since 2004.
 
FPU maintained its three-point advantage over Dixie State in the PacWest with the decision and improved to 10-1-1 in league play, 13-2-2 overall. The Eagles dropped to 5-9-1 overall and 5-5-1 in the PacWest.
 
"We knew coming into the game that Concordia was a very solid team that had put together positive results, so we knew it was important to get off to a good start," said head coach Jaime Ramirez. "The two early goals really allowed us to establish ourselves and it gave us a needed cushion against a team with such great tradition."
 
FPU led 3-0 at halftime after goals by Jorge Chedraui (12'), Benjamin Cowdrill (14') and Joey Belzil (40'). Cowdrill highlighted the three with a blast from just outside the box that knuckled into the top corner of the goal for the 2-0 lead. Eli Gallegos provided two assists during the 3-0 scoring run.
 
Concordia opened the second half with a goal of their own to cut the lead to 3-1, but FPU responded behind Alvaro Nogales' first goal of the evening seven minutes later. After CUI tallied its final goal of the match in the 57th minute, the Sunbirds went on a tear with five straight goals to make the final 9-2. Nogales started the run with a left-footed free kick from 35 yards in the 64th minute, while Joao Ravasio highlighted the scoring streak with a skillful volley goal in the 80th. Belzil scored twice in a four-minute span as well for the Sunbirds.
 
"We are getting into a very good rhythm on offense at the right time of the season," noted Ramirez. "We have really been emphasizing unselfishness, and not only are we generating and creating those opportunities, we are striking the ball really well."
 
Belzil finished with a hat trick for his second of the season, while Nogales added two goals in the win for the Sunbirds. Five different players recorded two assists for the Sunbirds, including Renato Bustamante, Anthony Velarde, Eric Sanchez, Ravasio and Gallegos.
 
Andrew Luis tallied two saves in the win for the Sunbirds.
 
The win sets the stage for a PacWest showdown with second-place Dixie State next Saturday, Nov. 7 with the winner claiming the conference title. The game is slated for a 7 p.m. start at Ramirez Field.
 
"In terms of our preparation, this is championship week," said Ramirez. "Dixie State has had a really solid year, and we know what they are capable of doing. It will be a battle of contrasting styles, which makes for a great matchup. I love our chances."