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FPU Women's Soccer
Megan LeBlanc
2
Fresno Pacific FPU (4-5-3, 3-3-1)
2
Hawaii Pacific HPU (3-6-1, 2-5-1)
Fresno Pacific FPU
(4-5-3, 3-3-1)
2
Final
2
Hawaii Pacific HPU
(3-6-1, 2-5-1)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Fresno Pacific FPU 1 1 2
Hawaii Pacific HPU 1 1 2

Game Recap: Women's Soccer |

Resilient ‘Birds Come Back Twice to Draw Sharks

HONOLULU, Hawaii - The FPU women played out a 2-2 draw away to Hawaii Pacific on Monday night in an end-to-end contest that had them wishing they came away with more.  For the 'Birds, it's now three games unbeaten as the PacWest season begins to wind down.  

"Tough game," said Sunbirds Associate Head Coach Roberto Hernandez.  "We felt like we could have come away with more, but the ladies showed brilliant resilience to come back twice from behind and be on the front foot."

The scoring more or less came in pairs - one in the first half and another in the second.  The Sharks broke through first when a long ball in from HPU's Kyla Fraser took a deflection in front of goal to trick FPU 'keeper Monique Nevarez.  The goal was awarded to HPU's Justice Valdez.

Less than five minutes later though, Maria Garcia leveled for the Sunbirds.  Wing back Maria Eir Magnusdottir sent a sublime long ball over from the FPU end deep into the box where Garcia was able to maintain possession and slot in a killer strike for her second of the season.  

The action was very well-balanced for the remainder of the first half, and continued into the second half.  In the 64th minute however, the home side jumped ahead again when Aubree Westjohn was able to poke through a ball that was bouncing around the box off a corner.

With their backs against the wall once again, the Lady 'Birds pressed immediately and found the equalizer less than two minutes later.  Center back Karyssa Lopez collected a rebound inside the box off a Sophie Rosales attempt and cooly slid it past the keeper to draw the teams level for the final time.  It was Lopez's second goal in as many games for FPU, and another full 90 performance.  She has yet to miss a minute of action all season in defense for the Sunbirds.

The attacking nous of the Sunbird offense has been coming alive over their current three-game unbeaten run and is something to keep an eye on over the remainder of the PacWest run-in.  Their seven goals scored during this span more than doubles what their season total was prior.  They outshot the hosts 14(9) - 7(4) with great attempts on goal coming from Mackenzie Madron, Mariah Contreras, and leading scorer Gizelle Aguirre.  

"We are proud of the effort and belief to not give up," added Hernandez.  "We have a quick turnaround but the team will be ready.  Vamos Sunbirds!"

The Hawaii road trip continues for the FPU Women, who will face Chaminade on Wednesday.  Kick off is set for 3:30pm PT and will stream live on the PacWest Network.


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