TURLOCK, Calif. - Fresno Pacific opened the 2015 campaign under new head coach Rob Podeyn with an impressive 2-0 victory over Cal State East Bay. The Sunbirds, facing a team that defeated them 5-0 in last year's season opener, played with much greater tenacity this time around to earn the shutout win.

"Today was a good starting point," said Podeyn. "We did some things well and found some areas we can work on. Overall it was a really good start. We played our game and did a good job of creating chances."

Alyssa Nakaguchi put the Sunbirds on the board in the 11th minute on a beautiful free kick shot from just outside the box. The Sunbirds took the 1-0 lead into the break and added to it in the 56th minute when Hannah Coyle buried a shot after some great combination play from Mariah Montoya and Amber Rodriguez.

Summer Hammond and Selena Braun combined for the shutout in goal, only having to make two saves as the Sunbird defense held the Pioneers at bay.

"Amanda Hudec did a great job of organizing the defense and Brooke Bingham did a good job of winning balls in the second half," said Podeyn.

The Sunbirds take on defending West Region champ #10 Stanislaus State on Saturday.