Evans' Golden Goal Lifts Cougars

BELMONT, CALIF. -- When the NAIA Region II Men's Soccer Playoff pairings were announced Monday morning, Azusa Pacific first-year head coach Phil Wolf wasn't too pleased.

After all, his No. 11-ranked Cougars were the GSAC co-champions with just one loss on the season, and they were forced to hit the road as the fifth seed to face Cal Pac champion Notre Dame de Namur in Belmont, Calif.

Nevertheless, Azusa Pacific fought its way through sluggish field conditions, a one-goal deficit and an extra 10 minutes for an exciting, 2-1, overtime victory, advancing to the semifinals.

"Our guys preserved through tough conditions today," said Wolf, the GSAC Coach of the Year in just his first season. "We got a road, playoff result. Those are tough to come by."

As if playing 90 minutes of soccer weren't enough, the two teams decided to try their hand at overtime. However, it didn't last long as just 10 minutes into the extra time, senior All-American Matt Evans, the 2001 GSAC Player of the Year, stepped up when the Cougars needed him.

Junior Stephen Hawk played the ball through and down the line to junior Jeff Johnson, who lifted a cross through the box. Evans found the ball and headed to the far post and into the net for the game-winner.

The Cougars fell behind early when Notre Dame scored in just the 12^th minute off a corner kick. The Argonauts carried a 1-0 advantage and the momentum into the locker room.

Nonetheless, with 13 minutes remaining in the match senior Dan Wilson deadlocked the game, when fired a rocket from 45-yards out to force overtime and swing momentum back into the Cougars' favor.

"We had some big-time players step up in a big way today," said Wolf. "Our seniors didn't want to end their careers up here, so they decided to do something about it."

With his goal, Evans now has 122 career points and moves to within 4 points of becoming Azusa Pacific all-time leading scorer.

The semifinals are now set as Azusa Pacific now visits No. 1-seed The Master's College and No. 3-seed Alliant International, by virtue of its 2-1 double overtime win over Fresno Pacific will travel to No. 2-seed Westmont College. Both games are Saturday at 1 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

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

#10 Stephen Hawk: MF; 5' 10"; Junior

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

#18 Jeff Johnson: MF/F; 5' 8"; Junior

Players Mentioned

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

#10 Stephen Hawk
: 5' 10"; Junior
: MF

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

#18 Jeff Johnson
: 5' 8"; Junior
: MF/F