Cougars Roll Past Hope

AZUSA, Calif. -- It took the NAIA's No. 20-ranked Azusa Pacific a full half to get the wheels in gear, but when the Cougars did, they rolled past Hope International for 5-0 GSAC victory in Azusa Wednesday night.

The Cougars scored 4 goals in 21 minutes in the second half to dispose of Hope for the eighth consecutive season.

Junior Jacob Ward got the Cougars on the board first in the ninth minute with his third goal of the season. Ward dribbled 25 yards down the left sideline, breaking the defense of 3 Royals before beating Royal keeper Jon Blomberg on the far post.

The Cougars broke the game open with a pair of goals less than 3 minutes apart early in the second half. Junior Jordan Jones intercepted a Royal pass at the top of the box and worked his way around a Royal defender to beat Blomberg to the far post again.

All-American Matt Evans then tallied his seventh goal of the season, moving through traffic in the box.

The Cougars capped a 4-goal second-half outburst with 2 more scores, one off the foot of Jones after Babatunoe Ilori fed him a long pass down the middle of the field.

Freshman Lein Shannahan capped the offensive blast with his fourth goal of the season with a rocket from 15 yards out that came off another Royal turnover.

Azusa Pacific out-shot Hope by a 26-7 count, including a dominating 14-2 display in the second half.

Cougar keeper Scott Strahammer registered 5 saves while picking up his fifth shutout in 11 games this season.

With the victory, Azusa Pacific improves to 8-1-2 overall, 4-1 in the GSAC to move to within a half game of GSAC leader and the NAIA's top-ranked The Master's. HIU falls to 4-8 overall, 0-5 in the GSAC.

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Players Mentioned

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

#6 Jacob Ward: D; 6' 1"; Junior

#11 Matt Evans: MF; 6' 0"; Senior

#14 Babatunoe Ilori: D; 5' 11"; Sophomore

#20 Jordan Jones: F; 6' 2"; Junior

Players Mentioned

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

#6 Jacob Ward
: 6' 1"; Junior
: D

#11 Matt Evans
: 6' 0"; Senior
: MF

#14 Babatunoe Ilori
: 5' 11"; Sophomore
: D

#20 Jordan Jones
: 6' 2"; Junior
: F