Cougars Split the Classic

AZUSA, CALIF --For the second consecutive year, Azusa Pacific split its games in the Cougar Classic held Sept. 4-5 at Cougar Stadium. In their opening contest, the Cougars faced the NAIA's 10th-ranked team in Baker University (Kan.), a team ranked just one place behind them in the preseason rankings.

A goal by junior forward Carlos Ochoa (Baldwin Park, CA/Sierra Vista HS) gave the Cougars an early 1-0 lead. However, two-time Heart of America Conference Player of the Year Rayburn Moore scored two goals, including a penalty kick with 15 minutes to play, and the Wildcats knocked off the host Cougars 2-1.

In the finale, the Cougars looked to rebound with a victory over CS Hayward, who had lost its opening round match to Westmont College, 3-0. Redshirt freshman Matt Evans (Pasadena, CA/Maranatha HS) tallied a goal in each half, including a spectacular 30-yard blast, as Azusa Pacific took the game, 2-0. The Cougars controlled most of the action, as they outshot the Pioneers, 24-3.

Westmont and Baker played to a scoreless draw in what proved to be the title game of the tournament. Based on fewest goals allowed, the Warriors were declared the tournament champions, having not allowed any goals in the two matches.

Scoring by Halves
Baker 1 1 -- 2
Azusa Pacific 1 0 -- 1

GOALS: Ochoa (AP), Moore 2 (BU)
ASSISTS: Fridborg (AP)
SAVES: Gorman (AP) 5, Brown (BU) 3
SHOTS: APU 6, BU 11
FOULS: APU 19, BU 15

Scoring by Halves
CS Hayward                   0   0 -- 0
Azusa Pacific                1   1 -- 2

GOALS: Evans 2 (AP)
ASSISTS: Smith, Roufs (AP)
SAVES: Gorman (AP) 1, Wolf (CSH) 7,
        Marin (CSH) 1
SHOTS: APU 24, CSH 3
FOULS: APU 13, CSH 17

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