FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno Pacific men's soccer team is set for two games this week, hosting Academy of Art on Thursday before a home clash with Azusa Pacific on Saturday evening.
 
Schedule
Game 13
vs. Academy of Art
Thursday, October 19 • 7:30 p.m.
Fresno, Calif. • Ramirez Field­­
Live Stats
 
Game 14 – Senior Day
vs. Azusa Pacific
Saturday, October 14 • 7:30 p.m.
Fresno, Calif. • Ramirez Field­­
Live Stats
 
About Fresno Pacific (4-8-0, 3-4-0 PacWest)
• FPU fell to #6 California Baptist by a final of 2-0 on Saturday, ending the possibility of a three-game win streak for the Blue and Orange. NCAA leading scorer Aidan Apodaca recorded both goals to pick up his 21st of the season.
• The attack-minded Sunbirds have taken 186 shots as a team this fall, ranking second in the PacWest Conference in that category. CBU has taken the most, with almost 40 more than FPU.
• Fresno Pacific will host Senior Day prior to Saturday's match against Azusa Pacific.
 
Sunbird Leaderboard
• Shots: Anthony Velarde, 39
• Goals: Anthony Velarde, 8
• Points: Anthony Velarde, 22 
• Assists: two players tied, 6
• Saves: Patrick Timmer, 44
 
About Academy of Art (3-7-1, 2-4-0 PacWest)
• The Urban Knights will enter Thursday's contest trying to break what is currently a four-game losing skid. Their most recent loss came last Thursday against Dixie State, when the Trailblazers came from behind to score two goals in five minutes for the victory.
• Kris Jensson has been one of the premier keepers in the PacWest this season, saving more than 80% of his shots and holding opponents to just less than a goal per game.
 
Urban Knight Leaderboard
• Shots: Bobby Gutierrez, 23
• Goals: Alex Walsh, 2
• Points: two players tied, 4
• Assists: Bobby Gutierrez, 2
• Saves: Kris Jensson, 33
 
The Series
• The Sunbirds have never lost to the Urban Knights, claiming a perfect 5-0-0 record in the all-time series.  
• Last season in Fresno, FPU came away with a 4-2 victory behind Dylan Rusconi's game-winner.
 
About Azusa Pacific (3-8-1, 3-4-1 PacWest)
• The Cougars enter this week fresh off a 3-2 overtime victory against Hawai'i Pacific after Aleksandar Pumpalovic's game-winner came in the 99th minute.
• Pumpalovic recorded all three APU goals in the win, giving the Cougars two hat tricks in as many seasons after Tim Ogunniyi did so in 2016 against Academy of Art.
• Azusa Pacific has struggled to a 1-5-0 road record this fall, and the Cougars have been outscored 15-7 away from their home pitch.  
 
Cougar Leaderboard
• Shots: Kaleb Armbrust, 25
• Goals: Aleksandar Pumpalovic, 5
• Points: two players tied, 12
• Assists: Kaleb Armbrust, 4
• Saves: Brendan Fix, 46
 
The Series
• The all-time series between FPU and APU is close to even, with the Sunbirds claiming a slim 28-24-3 advantage.
• Both teams have been better against one another on their home pitch, as FPU is 19-9-1 all-time against the Cougars in Fresno.
• The Sunbirds have won the last five meetings in Fresno.
• Benjamin Cowdrill's 69th-minute penalty held up as the game-winner last season.
 
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