BELMONT, Calif. – Despite its best efforts to rally, Azusa Pacific couldn't get over the hump as Notre Dame de Namur tallied a 2-1 victory.
The win lifts Notre Dame de Namur's record to 6-6-1 overall and 4-3-1 in PacWest contest while the Coguars fall to 3-7-2 and 3-4-1 respectively.
"It was a tight contest from beginning to end. Notre Dame de Namur is a good team and we knew that they were going to provide good competition. They play on a small field on turf and we knew things we going to happen quickly. The two goals against us were results of plays that happened quickly." said head coach Dave Blomquist. "We are going to press on and get better for the rest of the season. We will continue to strive for what has been a bit elusive this season."
The Argonauts got on the scoreboard in the fifth minute when Alex Guillen-Torres beat Azusa Pacific goal keeper Tyler Jaramillo on a penalty kick.
Just over 10 minutes later the Cougars put their response together on a nice goal from Carlos Garcia-Partida. The senior corralled a well-played free kick from Caleb Candelaria that went into the box.
"We scored a really nice goal," Blomquist said. "Caleb played a great curling ball into the box and credit Carlos for receiving the ball well and getting the goal."
Unfortunately for the Cougars their rally was halted in the 25th minute. Jack Ewest score what proved to be the game winner when he took a through ball off back-to-back passes from Matt DeQuiroz and Hunter Le Blanc and tucked the ball into the back of the cage.
Despite getting two shots before the close of the half, one each of from Jesus Arteaga and Daniel Stratton, the Cougars couldn't find the equalizer.
"We had our best attacking moments in the first half but we just didn't quite find our offense in the second half," Blomquist said.
The Argonauts press ahead with a handful of solid opportunities in the final 45 minutes but a solid effort from Jaramillo kept things tight until the final horn.
"Tyer made two or three fantastic saves to keep us in the game in the second half. You can see the frustration on the opponents face," Blomquist said. "I'm pleased with the way he play this afternoon."
The Cougars close out the first of their two bay area trips this season with a Saturday afternoon contest against Academy of Art.
