FRESNO, Calif.  – The Fresno Pacific women's soccer team picked up an important PacWest Conference win on Saturday, knocking off Azusa Pacific 3-2 at Ramirez Field. The Sunbirds had never previously beaten the Cougars in 17 meetings.  

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Fresno Pacific 3, Azusa Pacific 2
Records: FPU (7-6-1, 7-2-0 PacWest), APU (6-5-2, 6-2-2 PacWest)
Location: Ramirez Field | Fresno, Calif.
Series: APU leads 17-1-0
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HOW IT HAPPENED:
• FPU recorded the first two goals of the match, but the Cougars got on the scoreboard 40 seconds into the second half.
• The Sunbirds added what started an insurance goal but ended up as the difference maker in the games 74th minute.
• Azusa Pacific cut the deficit back to one with nine minutes to play, but the FPU defense held on to pull out the victory.     

SCORING:
• (11:14) Whitney Snow's shot was saved by the APU keeper, but Rachel Anderson handled the rebound and fired again for the game's first lead.
• (37:28) Snow added an assist before the half was over, finding Reynolds for a score that put the Sunbirds in front 2-0.
• (45:40) Stephanie Lossau received a throw in near the middle of the box before giving the Cougars their first score of the evening.
• (73:08) Alyssa Kincade's textbook corner kick led Snow perfectly, and Snow answered with a header into the back of the net.
• (81:12) Katelyn Rogers was able to bring the Cougars back with a goal after an assist from Haley Bostard.  

STATS OF THE GAME:
• FPU outshot their 25-15, including a mark of 12-5 in shots on frame.
• Corner pieces were a big part of the Sunbird offense, as the home team earned eight of the game's 11 corners.
• Summer Hammond picked up three saves in the net for Fresno Pacific, while APU counterpart Zoey Bauman tallied nine.

BEYOND THE BOX:
• The five-game win streak for FPU is the program's first since the 2014 season.
• FPU has taken 25 or more shots in a game five times this season, and they are undefeated in those contests.     
• If the Sunbirds win out and California Baptist loses another game, Fresno Pacific would claim their first ever PacWest title.
 
UP NEXT:
• Fresno Pacific returns to action on Thursday, when they host Dixie State at 5:00 p.m. from Ramirez Field. The Sunbirds and Trailblazers enter play tied with one another for second place in the conference.