Title Defense Underway

AZUSA, CALIF.-- Azusa Pacific's GSAC title defense has begun. The Cougars, ranked No. 7 in the NAIA, set the tone just 3 minutes into the game on their way to an impressive 3-1 victory over previously unbeaten Cal Baptist Wednesday night in the GSAC opener for both teams.

With the win, Azusa Pacific is now 10-6 all-time in GSAC openers. Historically, a conference-opening win has been a good sign for the Cougars as each of their 3 GSAC championship seasons (1996, 1997, 2000), were started with a GSAC-opening victory.

"I feel like this is a great game for us," said first-year Cougar head coach Phil Wolf. "It is a defining game for us. As we started GSAC, it could have gone either way. We could've struggled tonight, and then we would've struggled all season. But we came out with a good one, and now we will have a good feeling going into the next few games.ä

Senior Matt Hall (San Juan Capistrano, Calif./San Clemente HS) scored his first goal of the season just 3 minutes into the game to give the Cougars a 1-0 lead.

The Lancers tied the game just 11 minutes later on freshman Jason Van Broekhuisenâs header.

Sophomore Michael Dwinell (Susanville, Calif./Lassen HS) put the Cougars ahead for good in the 22^nd minute off a beautiful one-two connection from Hall and senior All-American Matt Evans (Pasadena, Calif./Maranatha HS).

Evans rounded out the scoring in the 77^th minute when he carried the ball into the penalty box and tucked it away from 15 yards out for his 5^th goal of the season.

Evans also assisted on both goals to bring his career point total to 107, moving him into third place on the Cougars' all-time scoring chart. He needs just 2 more to move into second place.

"I feel like because I'm a senior, and because there are younger players, I have to do my part to help this team out,ä said Evans. ãI wanted to work hard this game to show them what GSAC play is all about."

With the win, Azusa Pacific moves to 5-0-2 overall, 1-0 GSAC. Cal Baptist suffers its first defeat of the season and falls to 6-1, 0-1 GSAC.

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Players Mentioned

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

#7 Matt Hall: D; 5' 11"; Senior

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

Players Mentioned

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

#7 Matt Hall
: 5' 11"; Senior
: D

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

Players Mentioned

#15 Michael Dwinell

#7 Matt Hall

#11 Matt Evans

Players Mentioned

#15 Michael Dwinell

#7 Matt Hall

#11 Matt Evans