Wednesday, October 6, 2004
Final: #7 FPU 1, Biola 1 (2OT)

Box score

Fresno - Christian Rus' goal at 77:01 lifted the visiting Biola University Eagles to a 1-1 overtime tie with the Fresno Pacific University Sunbirds in Golden State Athletic Conference action at Steinert Field this evening.

Eddie Gutierrez put the hosts up 1-0 at 22:07 finishing a nice passing play by Orlando Ramirez and Cameron Hill.

That stood up until Rus picked up Steve Gizzi pass on an Eagles counter attack started by a Sunbirds miscue.

"This is frustrating," said FPU head coach Jaime Ramirez. "We created many scoring opportunities, but we were imprecise. We didn't help ourselves at all."

FPU outshot their guests 34-6, but only 11 were on goal.

The Eagles were also whistled for 25 fouls to just 11 for the Sunbirds. Corner kicks were even at 10-10.

FPU will be in Santa Barbara on Saturday for a 1:00 PM start against Westmont.

Livestats from FPU's Steinert Field

Updated records
Biola: 6-2-3, 1-1-2
Fresno Pacific 9-1-1, 1-1-1

Updated series records
Overall - FPU leads: 23-22-5
GSAC - FPU leads: 9-3-2
Last 10 matches: FPU leads 6-3-1

FPU notes

* FPU split their GSAC matches last week, dropping a 3-0 score at No. 5 Azusa Pacific, then out-lasting Concordia 5-4 in overtime. Consequently, FPU dropped from No. 2 to No. 7 in the rankings released on Tuesday.

* FPU received a boost Saturday with the return of senior Fabricio Codeceira. The 2003 NAIA National Player of the Year has been nursing a nagging abdominal injury and just endured a protracted NAIA inquiry into his amateur status. He played the second half, as well as the overtime periods n Saturday and recorded an assist on Gaston Cignetti's goal

* Orlando Ramirez leads for in scoring with 13 goals and 10 assists for 36 points. Milton Blanco, filling in for Codeceira, is next with 7 goals and 12 assists for 26 points.

* Head coach Jaime Ramirez has a pleasant problem to solve on defense with three capable goalkeepers on the roster. Oscar Rodriguez has logged the most time (480 minutes) with a 0.94 goals against average and has shared duties with Josh Ollenberger (318 minutes, 1.70 g.a.a.) and Jose Lopez (132 minutes, 0.68 g.a.a.).

* FPU will be in Santa Barbara this Saturday to face Westmont. Kick-off time is 1:00 PM.

Biola notes

* The Eagles are 6-2-2 (1-1-1 in GSAC) after Monday's scoreless overtime draw with Westmont.

* Dylan Martinez leads the Eagles in scoring with 8 goals and 1 assist for 17 points.

* Ryan George has played the major of time in goal so far this season with 660 minutes over 8 matches. He has yielded an average of 0.95s goals per game.