Box Score
FPU surrendered a goal in the 27th minute and was unable to finish any chances on offense as the Sunbirds fell to the visiting CSU Stanislaus Warriors 1-0 in an exhibition Monday night.
CSUS sophomore Edgar Santana netted the game's only goal in the 27th minute, taking a long pass from Trevor Grimbleby and chipping a soaring shot over the goalie's head that slowly bounced into the goal.
“That one defensive mistake cost us a goal,” said coach Jaime Ramirez. “But the rest of the game was well-played by both teams.”
While each team had its share of ball control, the Warriors got off 15 shots including six on goal. The Warriors also managed six corner kicks, to FPU's one.
The Sunbirds had many chances, the best of which came on a hard shot by Fabricio Nazare that was deflected by the keeper. Bruno Pessoa got the ball on the deflection, but his shot hit off the post and it was cleared by the defense.
“I was disappointed at the loss, but I was encouraged by our effort,” said Ramirez. “We played a good game against a good, well-coached, team.”
FPU will begin regular season play this week at home, on Wednesday when they host Embry-Riddle (AZ) at 7 pm.
Game Preview
The FPU men's soccer team will get an early look at some tough NCAA Division II competition when they host CSU Stanislaus in an exhibition on Monday night at 7 pm.
CSU Stanislaus revitalized its program last season under the direction of first-year head coach Dana Taylor, formerly of Oregon State. The Warriors finished the season 11-6-2 and 8-6-2 in the tough CCAA conference.
Now in his second season, Taylor has the Warriors picked to finish second in the CCAA's North Division. They're led by senior forward Victor Regalado, who scored a team-high 13 goals last season.
FPU begins the season with many new faces, having lost 13 players from last year's team including seven starters. The returning starters include some quality goal-scorers in sophomore
Paul Islas, junior
Guilherme Machado and senior
Mihailo Jovanovic. Defender
Kashif Siddiqi also returns.
They'll be joined by a strong group of incoming freshmen and transfers, as well as junior midfielder
Shawn Grieco who returns from injury.
The Warriors defeated the Sunbirds 2-1 in last year's season-opener in Stanislaus. Current FPU goalie
Steven Waite, who transferred from CSU Stanislaus, had three saves playing in goal against the Sunbirds last year.
Live stats unavailable tonight.