FRESNO, Calif.-Stephan Morris sparked the offense and Chris Macias' delivered a missile off a free-kick that proved invaluable as the Fresno Pacific Sunbirds (3-3 overall) remained perfect at home with a 2-1 win over the Cal Poly Humboldt Lumberjacks (3-2 overall) on Ramirez Field Saturday night.

The win gives FPU a perfect 3-0 record at home during non-conference play.

The first fifteen minutes saw both teams battle for possession. Neither team ripped off a shot but the Lumberjacks had an early corner that FPU snuffed out.

The Sunbirds developed several chances over the next fifteen, with Emanuel Aguayo putting a shot on goal.

In the 35^th minute, FPU launched a counter-attack with Taran Williams and Cesar Melgar pushing the ball up the left side. Melgar crossed the ball at the top of the box where Williams unleashed a one timer that the Humboldt keeper was able to smother and prevent the goal.

The 'Birds developed a few chances at the start of the second half with the best coming on a chain of brilliant passing punctuated by Lucas Ribeiro heading the ball toward goal. But the Lumberjacks' keeper got a hand on the shot to redirect the attempt and keep the scoreline level.

Fresno Pacific found its breakthrough in the 66^th minute when Taran Williams launched a long ball that got through the backline of Cal Poly Humboldt and found the boot of Stephan Morris who rocketed shot past the keeper for the 1-0 lead.

The Sunbirds had another chance just five minutes later as Macias faked out the defense and drew a foul just outside the box as the defender mauled him trying to recover.

Macias took the free kick and laced it just inside the right post for the 2-0 lead.

"I had been going left all game," Macias said of his massive fake. "Obviously as soon as I cut to my left, everybody went sliding. He couldn't stop me at that point so he had to hit me."

Minutes later, Humboldt looked to get on the board after a counter, but Elmer Carballo made a diving save to his right to reject the attempt and maintain the clean sheet.

But that was momentary because a handball in the box called against FPU setup a penalty kick for the Lumberjacks in the 81^st minute. Humboldt capitalized with the goal to setup a dramatic final nine minutes.

Still, despite the ratcheted up intensity, Fresno Pacific held strong and turned away the Lumberjacks to seal the victory.

That was the first goal that the Sunbirds had allowed in 271 minutes at home this season, with Carballo adding to his impressive collection of saves throughout the night.

It was also the first multi-goal game this season for FPU and came when the Sunbirds needed it most.

"It was when we needed it," Macias said of the winning goals. "Everybody was hyping us up in the stands. It was an amazing feeling."

The 'Birds executed the gameplan and outshot Cal Poly Humboldt 16-9 with all but three shots coming on goal. The Lumberjacks were rushed most of the night by FPU's defense, only scoring on the PK, and managed just 4 shots on goal.

"That was the plan," head coach Jaime Ramirez said of his team's amped up offense. "We came out energized and we did a good job of getting the ball on frame, even if some of them were right at the keeper."

Elmer Carballo finished with just three saves but they all came on vital plays.

"He saves us," Macias said of his keeper. "He saves us so much. I'm really thankful we have Elmer in goal."

Fresno Pacific will rest up after the much needed momentum and prepare for PacWest play when Chaminade comes to Ramirez Field on September 25^th at 5pm.

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