No. 2 Cougars Get Best of No. 8 Westmont

SANTA BARBARA, CALIF. -- The conditions didn't favor a speedy team like Azusa Pacific.

Nonetheless, the NAIA's No. 2-ranked Azusa Pacific overcame the elements of rain and mud to beat eighth-ranked Westmont, 2-0, in a key GSAC contest in Santa Barbara.

The win puts Azusa Pacific in the driver's seat for a third GSAC crown in the past 5 years and solidifies its place among the nation's elite.

After a scoreless first half, Azusa Pacific got on the board less than 4 minutes into the second frame when junior Ryan Fridborg headed a Matt Hall cross past Warrior keeper David Jay. That goal stood alone until sophomore Jordan Jones scored his fifth goal of the season and his second in as many games when he knocked in a loose ball from 15 yards on the right side to clinch the victory.

Westmont had 2 good chances to score in each half, missing an opportunity on a loose ball in front of the net off a Warrior corner kick. Then, shortly after Fridborg's goal, Westmont missed a chance to tie the game when a Cougar defender blocked a shot off the goal line before Cougar keeper Scott Strahammer knocked away the rebound attempt.

The win, which pushes Azusa Pacific's unbeaten streak to 10 in avrow, is the Cougars' fifth in the past 8 meetings with Westmont,vwhich was NAIA's top-ranked team last week. Until 1995,vWestmont had won 21 of 24 games vs. Azusa Pacific.

The Cougars improve to 12-1-1 overall, 4-0-1 in the GSAC.vWestmont, which is shut out for the first time this season, falls to 11-3 overall, 3-2 in the GSAC.

GAME STATS

Score by Halves 1  2 -- Final
Azusa Pacific     0 2 -- 2
Westmont          0 0 -- 0

Goals: Ryan Fridborg (APU) 48:00, (Hall)
       Jordan Jones (APU) 81:30

Shots: APU 10, WC 9
Corners: APU 3, WC 5
Fouls: APU 9, WC 11

Saves: Scott Strahammer (APU) 5
David Jay (WC) 2

Cards: WC - Meek (30:00) yellow

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Players Mentioned

#1 Scott Strahammer: GK; 6' 3"; Junior

#2 Jordan Jones: MF; 6' 3"; Sophomore

#3 Ryan Fridborg: F/M; 5' 11"; Junior

#7 Matt Hall: D/M; 5' 11"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#1 Scott Strahammer
: 6' 3"; Junior
: GK

#2 Jordan Jones
: 6' 3"; Sophomore
: MF

#3 Ryan Fridborg
: 5' 11"; Junior
: F/M

#7 Matt Hall
: 5' 11"; Junior
: D/M

GAME STATS

Score by Halves 1 2 -- Final Azusa Pacific 0 2 -- 2 Westmont 0 0 -- 0 Goals: Ryan Fridborg (APU) 48:00, (Hall) Jordan Jones (APU) 81:30 Shots: APU 10, WC 9 Corners: APU 3, WC 5 Fouls: APU 9, WC 11

Players Mentioned

Players Mentioned

Score by Halves 1 2 -- Final
Azusa Pacific 0 2 -- 2
Westmont 0 0 -- 0

Goals: Ryan Fridborg (APU) 48:00, (Hall)
Jordan Jones (APU) 81:30

Shots: APU 10, WC 9
Corners: APU 3, WC 5
Fouls: APU 9, WC 11