FRESNO, Calif. – Behind a stellar back line and a goal from one of the most reliable scorers in program history, the Fresno Pacific Sunbirds (1-0 overall, 0-0 PacWest) nabbed the first win of the Joel Robinson era with a 1-0 victory over the Cal Poly Humboldt Lumberjacks (0-1 overall, 0-0 CCAA) Thursday night on Ramirez Field.

Both teams used the first fifteen minutes for the typical feeling out process and early season start.

However, Fresno Pacific found their opening off of a counter-attack with Bryana Yoshia delivering a cross into the box that was touched on by Maria Eir Magnusdottir and moved to a wide open Tori De Leon for a powerful shot to the open part of the net.

With the goal coming in the 17^th minute, Fresno Pacific settled in for the rest of the first half by dominating possession and keeping the ball in the middle to attacking parts of the field over the next 28 minutes.

But the Cal Poly Humboldt pressure was dialed up coming out of the half and the Lumberjacks kept FPU on the defensive third throughout the first five minutes of the half.

Still, the Sunbirds showed tremendous resiliency as the back line fended off the constant pressure and turned away the Cal Poly Humboldt attack.

FPU finally turned one counter attack into a chance after five minutes of defense, just missing the transition.

Alena Schenk led a group Sunbirds that stayed calm under duress as the Lumberjacks continued the attack for the ensuing ten minutes.

"We just kept communicating, we kept our composure, we know what we're good at," Schenk said. "We played out of the back well, we trusted each other, and it worked out in the end. I'm happy that our team connected, trusted each other in the box and supported each other. It worked out well. I'm super proud of my team." 

From there, FPU was able to establish some of the same possession skills that kept the lead in the first half.

Despite a few more pushes from the Lumberjacks, Schenk and goalkeeper Monique Nevarez helped seal the clean sheet and net the first win under Robinson in his FPU debut.

"We stayed incredibly organized, so we didn't give away a lot of good chances." Robinson said of his team's win. "I am incredibly proud with the defensive effort. We could've done a little bit better with the ball. We had some moments second half, but in the first half, I think we controlled the game, and we had plenty of opportunities. There are some areas for us to clean up, but overall, super proud of the effort, and the ladies held on for the win."

FPU will have little rest as they will see another CCAA opponent on Sunday when Chico State comes to Ramirez Field for a non-conference tilt at 1:00 pm.

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