PACWEST MEN’S SOCCER WEEKLY NOTEBOOK
IRVINE, Calif. -- Azusa Pacific secured at least a share of the 2018 PacWest title by beating Biola 1-0 on Saturday with a goal in the 78th minute by
Arturo Astorga. It is the Cougars’ second PacWest title in men’s soccer after winning the crown in 2014.
Azusa Pacific can clinch the title outright tonight against Notre Dame de Namur in the Cougars’ penultimate regular season home game. The Cougars will wrap up the regular season at home on Friday against Point Loma as they try to secure the right to host the first two rounds of the NCAA West Regional.
Fresno Pacific strengthened its case for an at-large bid into the NCAA West Regional with wins against Chaminade and Dominican to improve to 12-2-1 on the regular season.
The Sunbirds remained at No. 5 in the latest NCAA West Regional rankings ahead of Cal Poly Pomona at No. 6 thanks in part to a victory against the Broncos during non-conference play.
Fresno Pacific gets to wrap up the regular season at home with Hawai`i Pacific on Tuesday and Hawai`i Hilo on Saturday. The top six teams in the West Region will advance to the NCAA West Regional with the bracket being announced following the conclusion of the regular season. Biola will wrap up the regular season at home against Holy Names and Dominican, as the Eagles battle to qualify for the NCCAA postseason.
Weekly awards based on the week of Oct. 22-28
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Arturo Astorga, Azusa Pacific
M, Jr., 5-8 -- El Paso, Texas
Astorga scored two goals and assisted on two others as he helped Azusa Pacific earn road wins against Concordia and Biola to clinch at least a share of the PacWest title with a week left in the season. Astorga scored once and assisted on two other goals in the Cougars’ 4-3 win against Concordia. On Saturday, he scored the game-winning goal against Biola in the 78th minute of play for a 1-0 victory to claim the conference title. Astorga has tallied nine goals and eight assists on the season as Azusa Pacific has won 11 matches in a row, including all nine conference games.
DEFENDER OF THE WEEK
Joao Ravasio, Fresno Pacific
M, Sr., 6-0 -- Florianopolis, Brazil
Ravasio helped Fresno Pacific hold opponents to just two goals in two games as Fresno Pacific claimed two wins. The Sunbirds allowed only seven shots on goal in the two victories. Ravasio also helped Fresno Pacific on the offensive end with a goal and an assist against Chaminade before assisting on another goal against Dominican. The senior played in 89 minutes in the road victory against Dominican. FPU has not allowed multiple goals in any of its last three games.
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
Alessandro Ramondino, Holy Names
GK, Fr. -- Sydney, Australia
Ramondino led the PacWest on the week in save percentage with 12 saves on 14 shots on goal to help Holy Names earn one win. The freshman recorded five saves in the Hawks’ shutout victory over Hawai`i Pacific. Ramondino faced 17 shots and didn’t allow a goal in 101 minutes before the Hawks got a golden goal in the second overtime. He added seven more saves against Chaminade to boost his season save percentage to 72.9.