FRESNO, CA. -- The Fresno Pacific men's soccer team dropped a tough game against Vanguard University 4-3 Saturday evening at FPU's Ramirez Field.
The Sunbirds trailed 2-0 at halftime, 3-0 early in the second half and 4-1 with 29 minutes remaining.
Goals by Rodrigo Vianna Ferreira in the 69th minute and Guilherme Machado in the 80th minute brought Fresno Pacific just one goal behind. But despite several close opportunities, the Sunbirds could not produce the equalizer.
Adam Holstein and Tomislav Colic put the Lions ahead early on with goals in the 15th and 19th minutes to give Vanguard the 2-0 lead. Following the halftime break, VU's Eric Nutter netted in the 55th minute to extend the Lion's lead to 3-0.
The Sunbirds finally got on the board in the 59th when a foul committed on FPU's Vitor Machado in the penalty box resulted in a penalty kick opportunity. Milhailo Jovanovic stepped up to convert the opportunity to cut the lead to 3-1.
The Lions roared right back with a goal in the 62nd minute by Alejandro Lopez to make it 4-1.
FPU continued to press on and scored in the 70th minute when Vianna converted another Sunbird penalty kick to close the gap to 4-2.
Machado's goal in the 81st minute brought the game back to within one, but that was as close as FPU would get.
With the loss the Sunbirds fall to 8-5-1 (4-3-1 GSAC) and will host Azusa Pacific on Wednesday (Oct. 28) at FPU's Ramirez Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 7p.m.