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Men's Soccer Fresno Pacific Sports Information

Fresno Pacific Earns Berth into NAIAs

FRESNO, Calif. -- Fresno Pacific earned a trip to the NAIA National Championship Soccer Tournament in Albuquerque, N.M., next week with a narrow 1-0 victory over Azusa Pacific  to claim the NAIA Region II title at Steinert Field this afternoon.  It is the Sunbirds' first trip to the tournament since finishing as the NAIA national runner-up in 1985.

The Sunbirds (17-2-2) played without the services of their two leading scorers, Edgardo Contreras (20 goals) and Gerardo Alvarado (12 goals), and assistant coaches Joel Ramirez and Jose Delagadillo.  All were serving suspensions levied earlier in the week for a melee that ended the Sunbirds' 3-1 semifinal win over Point Loma Nazarene last Saturday.  Unable to win a last-minute appeal on sanctions against Contreras and Delgadillo, the Sunbirds played today's game under protest.

But all that mattered as Eliseo Lopez' goal, scored just nine-and-a-half minutes into the contest, and the stalwart play of sweeper Jarrod Sousa and goalkeeper Francisco Alvarez.

"We felt like was had the back nine we needed," said FPU Head Coach Jaime Ramirez, referring to his midfielders, defenders, and keeper.  "We knew that we probably would not create many chances today.  Fortunately for us we got one early and capitalized.  Wes (Stevenson) played his heart out.  He made the play we needed and 'Shorty' (Eliseo Lopez) finished it for us."

Stevenson, playing in the place of Contreras, intercepted an errant goal kick by Cougar keeper Scott Strahammer, passed the ball to Lopez who pushed it past Strahammer.  In the second half, the Sunbirds packed it in defensively.  Alvarez made 12 saves to preserve the win and register the shutout.

"We created some chances today, but we couldn't find the key to unlock the door," siad Cougar Head Coach Don Lawrence.  "I congratulate them.  They had a huge purpose to play for today and they responded."

"I am so proud of these guys," said Ramirez, dripping wet after his players doused him with a barrel of ice-water from the nearby trainers' table.  "There is a lot of character on this team.  I am so proud of them and our fans.  They responded so well to the adversity we faced this week.  We will represent them and the entire region at Nationals as best we can."
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Players Mentioned

Scott Strahammer

#1 Scott Strahammer

GK
6' 3"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Scott Strahammer

#1 Scott Strahammer

6' 3"
Sophomore
GK