SEASIDE, Calif. – The Fresno Pacific men's soccer team used three second-half goals to defeat host Cal State Monterey Bay, 4-2, Saturday in non-conference action. The Sunbirds used a balanced scoring attack with three different players finding the back of the net on seven shots in the victory.

FPU picks up its first win of the year with the decision and moves to 1-1-1, while CSUMB falls to 3-1-0 on the young season. The Otters entered the match ranked fourth in the NCAA Division II West Region and are currently receiving votes in the national poll. The Sunbirds now hold a 4-1 all-time series advantage between the two schools.

"I was very pleased with our execution of the game plan today," said head coach Jaime Ramirez. "We felt that we had counter opportunities heading into the match with their style of play. Monterey Bay is a very good team that is highly organized and patient. It was huge for us to get that first goal because it made them change their system. We made a few mistakes late in the game that we need to clean up, but I was really pleased with the progress we made today."

Sophomore striker Dylan Rusconi's first-half goal got things going for the Sunbirds at Otter Sports Complex. Rusconi tallied his first goal of the season to put the Sunbirds on the board in the 25th minute. Renato Bustamante and Jorge Chedraui set up the sophomore with a through ball as Rusconi beat the goalkeeper to put FPU up 1-0. The Sunbirds took the advantage into the break.

FPU added to the lead in the 49th minute on a set piece off a free kick. Joao Ravasio fired a pass into the box to the head of Bustamante, who tallied his first goal of the season to make the score 2-0.  Six minutes later, Chedraui made the advantage 3-0 with a goal off a rebound that was fired from Emmanuel Ochoa, who was credited with the assist. Chedraui then tallied the final goal for FPU with his team-leading third of the season in the 87th minute.

"I was pleased with our second goal of the evening," said Ramirez. "It was something we have been working on in practice to really fine-tune our set plays and we executed it in the game. It was a very nice serve from Joao and a great finish from Renato."

The Otters were never in equalizing distance and tallied scores in the 81st and 89th minutes to make the final 4-2.

The Sunbirds fired seven shots on the evening, with six coming on goal. The four scores mark a season-high and the most since October 2 of last season. The Otters countered with 10 shots and four on goal.

Andrew Luis made a pair of saves in the game for FPU. The Sunbirds drew the Otters offside seven times in the win.

FPU continues its tough non-conference slate on Tuesday, September 15 against Cal State Monterey Bay. The game is slated to begin at 7 p.m. at Ramirez Field.