FRESNO, Calif.-An early celebration appeared to yield a going away gift for the senior class, but the Fresno Pacific Sunbirds (3-11-3 overall, 1-7-2 PacWest) ended up settling for a 1-1 draw with the Azusa Pacific Cougars to close the 2022 season at Ramirez Field Saturday night.

What started with a senior fittingly scoring an early goal ended with the Sunbirds emptying the tank to hold onto the draw.

The Sunbirds came out with great energy over the first 10 minutes and the offense found the first breakthrough in the 8^th minute. Senior Antonio Lepe played Lucas Ribeiro down the left side. After Ribeiro worked into open space, the freshman crossed a volley for senior Gabriel Monteiro, who headed home the opening goal for a 1-0 lead.

The goal gives Monteiro a score in each of his final three matches as a Sunbird, all in front of the home crowd.

FPU defended well for the rest of the first half to maintain its one goal lead.

Azusa developed a number of opportunities at the start of the second half, but finally broke through after a corner kick was cleared out. The second service trickled around the box before the Cougars cashed in the equalizer just before the hour mark.

The energy continued to flow from both sides with FPU creating a handful of chances. Chris Macias drew a foul on the left side of the '18 and Fabricio Pozas Saboya threatened just at the top of the box drawing the keeper out for a handball.

FPU couldn't cash in either opportunity but held off Azusa Pacific as the Cougars created five other corners in the second half.

The fouls were significantly in the Sunbirds favor (12-3) and all six yellow cards were given to APU.

Fresno Pacific held the edge in shots, delivering 8 to Azusa's 8.

Still, Fresno Pacific's effort couldn't find an opening to change the score line.

The Sunbirds finish the 2022 campaign with a record of 3-11-3 and 1-7-2 in PacWest play.