SAN DIEGO – The Fresno Pacific men's soccer team picked up a key PacWest Conference victory on Saturday afternoon, defeating Point Loma 3-2 in San Diego. The Sunbirds went in front 3-0 before the Sea Lions stormed back with two scores, but FPU was able to snuff out Point Loma's come-from-behind effort to hang on for the win. 
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Fresno Pacific 3, Point Loma 2 
Records: FPU (4-1-1, 2-1-0 PacWest), PLNU (4-3-0, 0-1-0 PacWest)
All-Time Series: FPU leads 27-11-6
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
• Fresno Pacific once again came out firing, finding the back of the net for the first time less than three minutes into the game.   
• The Sunbirds added a second goal before the intermission but took what seemed to be a commanding 3-0 lead just 38 seconds into the second half.   
• Point Loma got back in the game with a free kick and a penalty kick, scoring two goals in a minute to cut the deficit to one for the final eight minutes. 
• The FPU defense made the 3-2 lead hold up, clearing the ball every time Point Loma got within striking distance.  
 
SCORING:
• (2:44) Anthony Torres' corner kick landed at the top of the box and found the foot of Anthony Velarde, who launched toward the top right corner for his second score of the season.   
• (33:48) Velarde continued to be one of the best distributors in the West Region, connecting with Joao Ravasio inside the box. Ravasio fired to the far right to push the FPU edge to 2-0. 
• (49:04) Reece Rivera crossed into the box, allowing Jesse Hoekstra to collect the ball and turn it into his second goal of the year.  
• (80:42) Point Loma's Tim Siegfried fired a free kick from just outside the box into the top right corner to put the Sea Lions on the scoreboard.   
• (81:43) After a foul in the box, the Sea Lions were granted a penalty kick. Siegfried converted, cutting the PLNU deficit to one. 
 
STATS FROM THE GAME:
• While Point Loma outshot the Sunbirds 13-8, both teams put five shots on frame.
• Patrick Timmer recorded three saves in the victory, while reigning PacWest Goalkeeper of the Year Wiktor Lasota notched a pair of his own.     
• Concordia took five of the game's nine corner kicks. 
 
BEYOND THE BOX:
• Velarde has totaled an assist or goal in each of FPU's six games this season. His 31 career assists rank him fifth on FPU's all-time list, two behind former teammate Alvaro Nogales (2012-15). 
• Just seven players in the PacWest Conference have reached at least ten points this season. Velarde and fellow Reedley native Jose Vargas give the Sunbirds the only school with multiple players on the list.  
 
SOCIAL:
• Twitter - @fpusunbirds | Instagram - @fpusunbirds | Facebook - /FPUathletics 
 
UP NEXT:
• The Sunbirds are back in action next Saturday, when they play host to Dominican in a non-league game. Opening whistle from Ramirez Field is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.