Freshman to the Forefront

ST. CHARLES, Mo. – Freshman Erin Arbizu was given a little talking to, and the rookie got the message – in a hurry.

Arbizu sandwiched 2 goals around All-American Chrissy Sanford's tally to lead the NAIA's top-ranked Azusa Pacific to a 3-0 victory over Belhaven University in the quarterfinals of the NAIA Women's Soccer Championship Tournament on the campus of Lindenwood University, just outside of St. Louis.

"I had a good talk last night with Erin about stepping up here at nationals," Cougar coach Jason Surrell said. "We need her to be a presence and she wasn't in the first game against Indiana Wesleyan, but today she was outstanding."

Arbizu wasted little time signaling that Surrell's talk reached its designated point, scoring less than 40 seconds into the game to put Azusa Pacific up 1-0. In the 20^th minute Sanford registered her fourth goal of this tournament to push the Cougar lead to 2-0. Aribzu capped the scoring in the second half with her second goal of the game and her tenth of the season.

With the win, Azusa Pacific advances to the NAIA Final Four for the fourth straight year where the Cougars will meet Oklahoma City (21-1-1) in Monday's semifinal at 3 p.m. (PST).

"We're playing well right now," added Surrell, "but this is going to be a great Final Four. Oklahoma City is very good and will give us all we can handle. On the other side of the bracket is a great Lindsey Wilson team. We can win this thing, but it won't come easy."

The Cougars, who are now 10-2 all-time in NAIA Tournament action, have won 17 straight and improve to 17-1 on the season. Belhaven, which was out-shot, 13-3, has its season come to an end at 17-2-1.

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Players Mentioned

#4 Erin Arbizu: F; 5' 7"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#4 Erin Arbizu
: 5' 7"; Freshman
: F

Players Mentioned

#4 Erin Arbizu

Players Mentioned

#4 Erin Arbizu