Ward's Late Goal Lifts Cougars

AZUSA, CALIF. -- As time was winding down it seemed as if Concordia GK Ryan Hopkins was about to accomplish something no other keeper has done this year -- shutout Azusa Pacific.

Hopkins collected 8 saves and appeared to be headed towards pinning the first shutout of the year on the Cougars until junior Jacob Ward found the back of the net with 4 minutes remaining to lift the Cougars to a 1-0 GSAC victory.

"I will take this win," said first-year Cougar head coach Phil Wolf. "I had such an uneasy feeling about this one, especially because we are coming off such a well played game Tuesday in Fresno and have to turn right around and play a scrappy team like this. Then, we have such a big game coming up next Wednesday, so I'll take this result."

The win keeps the Cougars on pace towards a second consecutive GSAC title. With 2 games remaining, the Cougars remain tied with The Master's and Westmont atop the standings. Azusa Pacific travels to Santa Clarita to face The Master's College next Wednesday afternoon.

Azusa Pacific, ranked No. 16 in the NAIA, controlled the tempo through much of the game, but Hopkins was true to the test, snuffing several great chances.

As time was ticking down and overtime looming, the Cougars had a throw in on the left side when senior All-American Matt Evans hurled the ball towards the net. Junior Jordan Jones put his head on the ball and flicked it to a wide-open Ward at the top of the penalty box. Ward promptly fired the ball off his left foot to near post and into the net.

The Cougars out shot the Eagles 13-2, and Cougar GK Scott Strahammer nabbed one of the Eagle's 2 shots, while collecting his eighth shutout of the season.

With the win, the Cougars are now 11-1-2 overall, 7-1 GSAC. Concordia moves to 7-8, 3-4 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

#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

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