FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno Pacific men's soccer team will take the field twice this week, hosting Hawai'i Pacific on Tuesday evening before welcoming Hawai'i Hilo for Senior Day on Saturday. A pair of wins could be enough to earn the Sunbirds a berth in the regional round of the NCAA playoffs, their first since 2015.

Schedule
Game 16
vs. Hawai'i Pacific 
Tuesday, Oct. 30 • 5:00 p.m.
Fresno, Calif. • Ramirez Field
Live Stats
 
Game 17
vs. Hawai'i Hilo (Senior Day)
Saturday, Nov. 3 • 5:00 p.m.
Fresno, Calif. • Ramirez Field
Live Stats
 
Fresno Pacific  
About the Sunbirds (12-2-1, 7-2-0 PacWest)
In the Oct. 21 edition of the NCAA Regional Rankings, the Blue and Orange were sixth in the West Region. Since then, Fresno Pacific has won each of its' last three games, including a 4-1 defeat of Chaminade last Wednesday and a 3-1 victory over Dominican in the final road test of the regular season last Saturday. As one of six 'Birds to find the back of the net in those two games, Anthony Velarde enters this week as the PacWest Conference's leader in total points with 40 and remains a strong candidate for Player of the Year honors. 

Leaderboard
• Shots: Anthony Velarde, 51
• Goals: Anthony Velarde, 13   
• Points: Anthony Velarde, 40
• Assists: Anthony Velarde, 14  
• Saves: Patrick Timmer, 50
 
Hawai'i Pacific 
About the Sharks (6-8-0, 4-5-0 PacWest)
Hawai'i Pacific experienced a roller coaster of emotions last week, falling 1-0 on an own goal in overtime against Holy Name on Thursday before routing Academy of Art 4-0 two days later. Jair Espinoza opened the scoring against the Urban Knights to extend his team lead in goals, while Tom Karsheuning scored twice in six minutes to help pad the HPU lead. The Sharks have split time between two goalkeepers this fall, but the primary man between the posts has been Chandler Schur, who ranks 6th individually in the league in goals against average.  
 
Leaderboard
• Shots: Jair Espinoza, 37    
• Goals: Jair Espinoza, 5    
• Points: Jair Espinoza, 14   
• Assists: two players tied, 4 
• Saves: Chandler Schur, 26
 
All-Time Series
The Sharks claim a slight 4-3-1 edge in the all-time series, including a 2-1 victory in last season's final game. Each of FPU's wins against Hawai'i Pacific have come in Fresno, and the 'Birds put up six goals the last time HPU came to the Valley. 
 
Hawai'i Hilo 
About the Vulcans (3-10-0, 2-6-0 PacWest)
The Vulcans enter play this week looking to snap a three-game losing streak after falling 3-2 at home against Point Loma in their lone game last week. Matt Wilkinson came away with both scores for UHH, and he remains the lone Vulcan with more than one goal on the year. Keeper Nick Williams ranks second in the league with 70 saves, and he leads the league with 5.83 stops per game. 
 
Leaderboard
• Shots: Pedro Werneck, 21  
• Goals: Matt Wilkinson, 9   
• Points: Matt Wilkinson, 18 
• Assists: four players tied, 1 
• Saves: Nick Williams, 70  
 
All-Time Series
Fresno Pacific has never lost to Hawai'i Hilo, claiming a perfect 6-0-0 advantage in the all-time series. Last season in Hawaii, Gabriel Batista's 80th-minute score broke a 2-2 tie and held up as the eventual game-winner.
 
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