AZUSA, Calif. — The Master' College book-ended the game with goals in the fifth and 86th minutes to roll to a 2-0 win over Azusa Pacific on the Cougars' senior night and putting a slight hold on their playoff aspirations.
The loss is the Cougars first in the past 4 games, but their slim playoff hopes are still flickering. Earlier today, Vanguard upset Point Loma Nazarene, 2-1 in overtime, keeping the Cougars just ahead of the Crusaders for the fifth and final spot.
Had the Cougars been able to win tonight, then they would have all but locked up the berth. Now, the Cougars are in a must-win situation Saturday at Christian Heritage.
Prior to the game, the Cougars honored their 9 seniors. However, it was one of the Mustang's seniors that provided the sufficient offense just 5 minutes into the contest.
Tim MacConnell scored his fifth goal of the season off a 30-yard lazer into the upper 90 from a Mustang indirect free kick. Sophomore Dalton Spivey converted a penalty kick in the 86th minute for the Mustang's insurance tally.
The win snaps the Mustang's 3-game losing streak to the Cougars and is just their second win in the past 9 games with Azusa Pacific.
The Cougars were without 4 starters -- All-GSAC MF David Alapag (family reasons), second leading scorer John Kightlinger (injury), freshman Ian Leibbrandt (red card suspension) and starting GK Morgan Cathey (injury) -- and the losses showed. Azusa Pacific was barely able to generate much offense the entire night as the majority of the game was played in the middle third of the field.
The Cougars best chance came in the final minutes, but Michael Dwinell's shot in a 1-on-1 situation with the keeper went wide.
With the loss, Azusa Pacific drops to 6-6-5 overall, 3-3-3 GSAC. The Master's improves to 9-6-2, 3-5-1
