Box Score AZUSA, Calif. – If the Azusa Pacific men's soccer team wasn't on the national radar prior to Saturday, they will be now. The Cougars showed they are more than ready for NCAA Division II play as they knocked off second ranked Simon Fraser 2-1.
"Simon Fraser is one of the top teams in NCAA Division II. We knew it was going to be a battle from the start," said head coach David Blomquist. "We played hard and kept focus for 90 minutes and never relented against a really good team."
The Cougars got a huge boost in their upset bid by scoring the game's first goal. Luke Ackermann corralled a rebound that the Clan's goalie deflected off a Keenan Armbrust shot. Ackermann quickly gathered the ball from 10 yards out and blasted it into the back of the net. It's the juniors second goal of the season.
"Scoring the first goal was massive. It really helped us gain momentum and give us even more confidence that we can play with a team of Simon Fraser's caliber," said Blomquist.
The Azusa Pacific lead was short lived as Jovan Blagojevic knotted the score at a goal apiece when he headed home a free kick sent into the box by Robert Hyams in the eighth minute.
As each team tried to break the deadlock before the halftime horn the Cougars had a great opportunity in the 32nd minute when Keyran Kelly's shot from just outside the box went wide left.
Both defenses stood tall a majority of the second half until the Cougars broke through with the game winner. Carlos Garcia Partida started his run down with the ball on the left side of the field. After a quick pass to Armrust just outside the box, Garcia Partida got the return feed via a back heal pass and deposited the ball in the net.
"I saw the opportunity unfold in front of me," Garcia Partida said. "Once I made the pass to Keenan, I just continued my run and he made a great pass back to me."
The Clan had a good look at the tying goal when Blagojevic blasted a ball from 20 yards out but his attempt went wide left in the 87th minute.
Azusa Pacific held a slight edge in shots (13-12) while Simon Fraser posted a 5-3 advantage in corner kicks.
Tyler Jaramarillo earned the win in goal in just his second collegiate start.
GAME NOTES
The Cougars are now 5-2 all-time against The Clan … A chippy game at times was evident by the seven yellow cards … Simon Fraser went to the Final Four last season … It is the first 2-0 start for Azusa Pacific since 2010 … Azusa Pacific has now beat the #5 and #1 ranked team in the West Region … The Cougars beat Cal State Dominguez Hills on Monday … Simon Fraser is the only NCAA school located in Canada (Burnaby, B.C.)
