Cougars Claw Past Panthers

AZUSA, CALIF. -- It has been 11 days since Azusa Pacific has stepped onto the playing field, and it took the Cougars 70 minutes to shake off the rust, but they eventually did with a 2-1 come-from-behind win over Chapman University Wednesday night.

The NAIA's No. 12-ranked Cougars, who last played September 8, had games against 2 of the NAIA's premiere programs (Life, Ga. and Lindsey Wilson, Ky.) cancelled due to the national events of last week, and it showed in their play.

"We are just shaky in the back right now," said first-year head coach Phil Wolf. "Part of it is that I made some changes in the system tonight, and it wasn't a good move. I shouldn't have done what I did. But you live and you learn. I can definitely take the blame for the poor play."

Chapman (0-5) seemed headed for its first win of the season when a Panther shot deflected off a Cougar defender and past GK Scott Strahammer (Arlington Heights, Ill./St. Viator HS) in the 41^st minute putting the Panthers ahead 1-0.

However, midway through the second half junior Stephen Hawk (Clovis, Calif./Clovis HS) tied the game at 1-1 when he gathered a rebound and blasted it off the crossbar and into the net for his first collegiate goal in the 70^th minute.

"This is a fantastic feeling," said Hawk of his game-tying and first collegiate goal. "I never expected it to happen, but someone had to do it."

Just 7 minutes later, sophomore Michael Dwinell (Susanville, Calif./Lassen HS) fed a through ball to senior Dan Wilson (Simi Valley, Calif./Royal HS). Wilson then one-touched it across to junior Jordan Jones (Clovis, Calif./Clovis HS), who scored the go-ahead tally, his fourth of the season, in the 77^th minute.

With the win the Cougars improve to 4-0-2 on the season. They open up GSAC action Wednesday night (Sept. 26) when they host Cal Baptist (5-0) at 7 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

#15 Michael Dwinell: F; 5' 6"; Freshman

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

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

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

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

Players Mentioned

#15 Michael Dwinell
: 5' 6"; Freshman
: F

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

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

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

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