Evans Lifts Cougars to 3-0 Win

AZUSA, CALIF. – Senior All-American Matt Evans (Pasadena, Calif./Maranatha HS) put Azusa Pacific on the board in the 35^th minute with his second goal of the season and then assisted on a game-sealing goal by junior Jacob Ward (El Cajon, Cailf./Valhalla HS) as the Cougars rolled to a 3-0 win over Nyack (N.Y.) College in the final match of the 15^th Annual Cougar Classic.

The Cougars, ranked No. 6 in the NAIA, dominated from the outset, but failed to find the net until Evans blasted a free kick from 20-yards out to give the Cougars a 1-0 lead they would not relinquish.

Nyack's best opportunity came in the 52^nd minute when senior GK Scott Strahammer (Arlington Heights, Ill./St. Viator HS) deflected a point-blank shot that eventually hit the post.

In all, the Cougars fired a season-high 17 shots and attempted 10 corner kicks, also a season high.

Evans' goal appeared to be all the Cougars would muster until Evans had another free kick in the 81^st minute that he sent from about 35 yards out, into box to Ward, who promptly directed it into the net.

Junior Jon Oliva (Moreno Valley, Calif./Canyon Springs HS) scored his first goal of the season in the 90^th minute to round out the scoring.

With the win, the Cougars move to 2-0-1 on the season and will play in the Warrior Classic in Santa Barbara Sept. 7-8.

Earlier in the day, GSAC-rival and No. 7-ranked Westmont (1-0-1) and Alliant International (1-0-2) battled to a 0-0 draw. By virtue a bigger goal differential, Westmont wins the 2001 Cougar Classic.

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