Cougars Let Lions Steal Tie

AZUSA, CALIF. -- A pair of late lapses cost Azusa Pacific and thus NAIA's No. 4-ranked Cougars had to settle for 2-2 tie with Vanguard in a GSAC game in Azusa.

All-GSAC forward Diego Goni scored a pair of late goals, one with less than a minute left in the first half and then the game's final equalizer with less than 6 minutes remaining in regulation, to secure the tie for Vanguard.

The Cougars took a 1-0 lead on J.D. Rotteau's tap in of a Jacob Ward cross that hugged the baseline in the 40^th minute.

With 52 seconds left in the half, Goni let loose a high shot from just inside the box that a charging Oscar Hernandez blocked with his out-stetched hands. Thus Goni was awarded a penalty kick which he converted to the left of Cougar keeper Scott Strahammer.

Less than 15 minutes into the second half the Cougars took a 2-1 lead on Dan Wilson's tap in of a Rotteau shot that bounced off the post and off the body of Vanguard keeper Mathew Resor. The Cougars appeared to be headed toward the victory until Goni riffled a shot past Strahammer from 15 yards out near the right post at the 84:47 mark.

Azusa Pacific had 3 good chances to win the game in OT but misfired on all 3 close shots that whistled by the post.

Both teams are 2-0-1 in the GSAC. Azusa Pacific is 10-1-1 overall while Vanguard if 5-3-1. Earlier in the day, top-ranked Westmont fell to Fresno Pacific, 2-1, to allow Azusa Pacific and Vanguard to stay in first place with each other.

GAME STATES
Score by Halves     1 2 OT OT -- Final
Vanguard            1 1 0 0 -- 2
Azusa Pacific      1 1 0 0 -- 2

Goals: J.D. Rotteau (APU) 39:09, (Ward)
      Diego Goni (VU) 44:08
      Dan Wilson (APU) 57:55, (Rotteau)
      Diego Goni (VU) 84:47 (Morgante)

Shots: VU 11, APU 14
Corners: VU 7, APU 11
Fouls: VU 19, APU 15

Saves: Matthew Resor (VU) 5
       Scott Strahammer (APU) 1

Cards: VU ö Barnett 9:09 (yellow)
VU - Morgante 9:19 (yellow)
AP - Hoyt 9:46 (yellow)
AP - Hernandez 24:06 (yellow)
AP - Jones 37:45 (yellow)
VU - Rutkowski 73:39 (yellow)
VU - Murphy 84:47 (yellow)
AP - Dwinnell 104:43 (yellow)

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Players Mentioned

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

#4 Dan Wilson: D; 6' 1"; Junior

#5 Oscar Hernandez: D; 5' 11"; Senior

#9 J.D. Rotteau: M/F; 5' 9"; Junior

#19 Jacob Ward: D; 6' 2"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

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

#4 Dan Wilson
: 6' 1"; Junior
: D

#5 Oscar Hernandez
: 5' 11"; Senior
: D

#9 J.D. Rotteau
: 5' 9"; Junior
: M/F

#19 Jacob Ward
: 6' 2"; Sophomore
: D