Wednesday, November 3, 2004 (1:00 PM)
NAIA Region 2 Semifinal - Vanguard 1, FPU 0

Box score

Costa Mesa - Fresno Pacific's dream of returning to the NAIA National Championship match for another shot at the NAIA title ended today in Costa Mesa.

The first step on FPU's journey was a trip to Costa Mesa, the site of the 5-2 drubbing at the hands of Vanguard 13 days ago. FPU logged a better effort this time around, but Jose Hernandez'' goal in the 86th minute abruptly ended FPU's season.

Hernandez goal came off a direct free kick from just outside the box.

"We played for the cross," said FPU head coach Jaime Ramirez, "But he hit it short and in snuck down in near post."

The 4th-seeded Lions (16-4-0) advance to the NAIA Region 2 semifinals and will travel to top-seed Azusa Pacific (15-1-1) this Saturday.

"I thought it was a well played game," continued Ramirez. "We were much better here than we were two weeks ago. We had a couple of opportunities, including a point blank one-on-one by Orlando (Ramirez), but they were equal to the task. Their keeper made a nice save."

The Sunbirds season is over at 15-3-1. Two of their three losses were to the Lions. The other was to Azusa Pacific.

"I am disappointed for our seniors," said Ramirez. "They have represented us so well over the past four years. I was hoping for a better finish (for them)."

FPU places three on All-Region Team
Seniors Fabricio Codeceira, Eddie Gutierrez, and Orlando Ramirez were named to the All-NAIA Region 2 team.

NAIA Region 2 Seedings
1. Azusa Pacific (15-1-1)
2. Holy Names (9-6-2)
3. Notre Dame De Namur (16-4-2)
4. Vanguard (15-4-0)
5. Fresno Pacific (14-2-1)
6. Point Loma Nazarene (12-4-1)

Quarterfinals - Wednesday, November 3
#3 Notre Dame (H) 2, #6 Point Loma Nazarene 1
#4 Vanguard (H) 1, #3 FPU 0

Semifinals - Saturday, November 6, 1:00 PM
#4 Vanguard at #1 Azusa Paccific
#3 Notre Dame at #2 Holy Names

Championship - Saturday, November 13

Updated records
Fresno Pacific: 15-3-1
Vanguard: 16-4-0

Updated series record
FPU leads 28-8-1

Upated series scoring
FPU leads 104-45