AZUSA, CALIF. -- Freshman Lisa Rouf's goal with less than 2 minutes remaining in regulation lifted the NAIA's No. 4-ranked Azusa Pacific to an emotional 2-1 nonconference victory over Cal State San Bernardino Monday night.

The contest marked the return of former Azusa Pacific coach Christian Johnson, who over the past 3 years guided the Cougars to a 56-9-3 record which included the 1999 NAIA championship. Earlier this summer, Johnson accepted a postion as the director of soccer at Cal State San Bernardino, resigning his post at Azusa Pacific.

Though Azusa Pacific controlled the majority of the game, it appeared Johnson was about to steal a victory and continue the Coyotes' marvelous start of the season when Lisa Ament picked up a loose ball in the 47th minute and rocketed a 20-yard shot past the out-stretched arms of Cougar keeper Melissa Strother to put the Coyotes up 1-0.

However, the Cougars responded 12 minutes later when freshman Stephanie Lemburg tapped in a Chrissy Sanford shot that rebounded off the cross bar to knot the game at 1-1.

Coyote keeper Melissa Runyon kept CSUSB's hopes alive with several excellent saves in the final 20 minutes. However, at the 88:21 mark, Roufs picked off an arrant pass in the middle of the field, moved 10 yards untouched and let loose the game-winner, a low shot that found the left hand corner of the net.

The victory is Azusa Pacific's third straight and improves the Cougar record to 3-2-1 on the season. Cal State San Bernardino, which has now lost 5 in a row to Azusa Pacific, suffers its first defeat of the season and falls to 4-1.