AZUSA, CALIF. -- Like sharks smelling blood in the water, the NAIA's No. 3-ranked Azusa Pacific sensed No. 22 Biola was on its heels to start the second half, so the Cougars went on the attack and scored 4 goals in just 19 minutes, including 3 in just 6 minutes, to blow open a tight game and beat Biola, 5-0, in both teams' regular-season finale.
Azusa Pacific led just 1-0 at the half on a Celeste Mitchell goal in the 28th minute. The Cougars out-shot Biola, 6-2, in the first 45 minutes and had 5 corner kicks to Biola's 1.
iola was hindered by the loss of goal keeper Erin Van Horn and defender Erin Fluck in the 18th minute. The 2 Eagles collided with Cougar forward Kimber Carter in front of the Biola net. Though Carter was fine, both Eagles were lost for the game. Junior Kimberly Jertberg spotted Van Horn in the net and did fine job over the final 27 minutes of the first half.
However, the Cougars put together several excellent attacks to start the second half, and the Biola defense finally began to cave in. All-American Missy Myers netted what appeared to be an intended crossing pass from 20 yards out to put the Cougars up 2-0 in the 50th minute.
Myers' goal seemingly opened the flood gates. All-American Janay Duran tapped in a rebound off a Lisa Lawrence shot in the 63rd minute. Two minutes later, freshman Melissa Scott rifled a shot from 10 yards out to push the lead to 4-0. Freshman Jennifer Sousa capped the scoring 4 minutes later when she took a Kendra Payne lead pass and raced 25 yards down the left side before unloading a 15-yard bullet that deflected off and over the Biola keeper's hands and into the net.
With the win, the Cougars improve to 14-1-2 on the season and 5-1 in the GSAC. Since suffering a 3-1 loss to Westmont on Oct. 13, Azusa Pacific has out-scored 4 GSAC opponents by a combined 25-0 count.
The Cougars now move on to the NAIA Far West Regional Playoffs to be held in Santa Barbara on Nov. 5-6. Game time and semifinal opponent won't be determined until Saturday, Oct. 30.
Biola, which just yesterday cracked the NAIA Top 25 for the first time, falls to 11-4 after Azusa Pacific's rude welcome to the nation's elite. The Eagles, though, are still bound for the NAIA Far West Regional Playoffs.
