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2
Fresno Pacific FPU (1-3-0, 0-0-0)
3
Winner CSUSB CSUSB (5-0-1, 0-0-0)
Fresno Pacific FPU
(1-3-0, 0-0-0)
2
Final
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CSUSB CSUSB
(5-0-1, 0-0-0)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Fresno Pacific FPU 0 2 2
CSUSB CSUSB 1 2 3

Game Recap: Men's Soccer |

Rico & Ribeiro Spark Thrilling Comeback For 'Birds

No. 11 CSUSB Gives Up Two Goals For First Time This Season

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – The Fresno Pacific men's soccer team brought the heat to the second half of the match against No. 11 CSU San Bernardino, diminishing the Coyotes' lead and netting two crucial goals in the last twenty minutes. In the end, the Sunbirds lost to the Coyotes 2-3 in the thrilling showdown.

The first half started off slow for both teams. The first corner kick for FPU was sent to Chris Macias who directed a quick pass to Lucas Ribeiro to take a deep shot from the left side. It was the start of Ribeiro's relentless attempts to score. His offensive abilities and speed applied constant pressure to CSUSB. By the half, the senior from São Paolo had tallied five shots.

Tariq Alabi made some dangerous crosses that fell within the box, giving Ribeiro and Julian Aran Martin scoring opportunities. The Yotes were quick to stop many of the Sunbirds advances, making it a scoreless first half. At the 26th minute, a cross attempt by Bryan Lopez came inches away from hitting the back of the net, but fell to the left side of the post. Key shot attempts from Ribeiro and Sean Williamson kept the momentum going for the Blue and Orange, maintaining offensive possession for the first half. Chris Meza got in on the action and sent a direct shot from the right corner, but a punching save by the Yotes' goalkeeper kept it tied 0-0.

With three minutes remaining in the first half, the Yotes netted the first goal of the match from a corner kick pass. The Sunbirds struggled to respond after the break, as the Coyotes claimed their next two goals to hold a 3-0 lead midway through the second..

With 16 minutes remaining, Chico State transfer and FPU newcomer Phillip Rico made the score 3-1, reacting fast to a ball that bounced off a CSUSB defender to net his first goal of the season and first ever in the Blue and Orange.

Graduate goalkeeper Adrian Sandoval made his 2025 season debut as a Sunbird and had a crucial save in the final ten minutes, stopping CSUSB from getting their fourth goal. After his tireless efforts in the match, Ribeiro was due his first goal of the season and the 2024 All-PacWest First Teamer captured it on an impressive header to the right corner of the net. It was the first game this season that the Coyotes had given up more than one goal.

The Sunbirds fought until the very last second for the game-tying goal. Macias had two back-to-back shots right on target to score, but CSUSB proved formidable, capping the game at 2-3. The men's team continues the season with an overall record of 1-3.

"The guys showed a lot of heart. They played hard until the final whistle," said head coach Cameron Shahrokhi. "San Bernardino is nationally ranked for a reason. They were organized and tough to play against. Our non-conference games have been against all quality opponents in tough environments. This will make us stronger for PacWest play. We will turn the page and start preparing for our conference opener."

NEXT UP: The Sunbirds start PacWest Conference play at home against Chaminade on Thursday, September 25th at 6:30 pm.  

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