Cougars Move On In NAIA Regionals

AZUSA, CALIF. -- The NAIA's No. 2-ranked Azusa Pacific advanced to the NAIA Region II Finals by defeating Point Loma 4-1 Saturday afternoon.

Matt Evans opened the scoring at 27:00 when he scored on a 50-yard free kick. His drive to the goal area was tipped into the air by Point Loma goalkeeper Joe Barton, but continued rolling until it rested in the back of the net.

The Cougars took a 2-0 halftime advantage after Jordan Jones scored in the 35th minute on an open net when Barton came out to try to take the ball from J.D. Rotteau, who got the ball past Barton over to Jones.

Matt Horak brought Point Loma to within 2-1 less than 3 minutes into the second half, but the Cougar defense held together long enough for Rotteau to put the finishing touches on the win with 2 goals less than 2 minutes apart. His first came on a cross from Ryan Fridborg with just under 8 minutes remaining, and his second goal of the game came on a nearly identical pass from Jeff Johnson with just over 6 minutes to play, giving the Cougars a 4-1 lead.

With the win, the Cougars improve to 17-1-1 overall and will host the NAIA Region II Final game against Westmont next Saturday at 4:30 p.m.

GAME STATS
Score by Halves 1 2 -- Final
Point Loma 0 1 -- 1
Azusa Pacific 2 2 -- 4

Goals: Matt Evans (APU) 27:00 (none)
Jordan Jones (APU) 34:28 (Rotteau)
Matt Horak (PLNU) 47:31 (none)
J.D. Rotteau (APU) 82:02 (Fridborg)
J.D. Rotteau (APU) 83:52 (Johnson)

Shots: APU 11, PLNU 8
Corners: APU 3, PLNU 7
Fouls: APU 16, PLNU 20

Saves: Scott Strahammer (APU) 3
Joe Barton (PLNU) 2

Cards: Joe Barton (PLNU, yellow) 9:49
Josh Barton (PLNU, yellow) 18:37
David Alapag (APU, yellow) 40:31
Juan Sbodio (PLNU, yellow) 55:14
Babatunoe Ilori (APU, yellow) 88:33

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

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

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

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

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

#11 Matt Evans: M; 6' 0"; Junior

#16 David Alapag: D; 5' 7"; Sophomore

#18 Jeff Johnson: D; 5' 8"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

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

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

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

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

#11 Matt Evans
: 6' 0"; Junior
: M

#16 David Alapag
: 5' 7"; Sophomore
: D

#18 Jeff Johnson
: 5' 8"; Sophomore
: D