AZUSA, Calif. – A somewhat fairly average game became very exciting in the final stages.
Azusa Pacific scored the game winner with less than five minutes left to record a 3-2 victory against Notre Dame de Namur on Thursday evening.
The win is the third straight for the Cougars as they up their record to 3-4-2 overall and 3-2 in PacWest games. The Argonauts fall to 5-5 and 3-2 respectively.
Post Game Interview with seniors Raul Martinez and Dane Johnson
The Argonauts grab the initial lead in the 33rd minute. The Notre Dame de Namur began pressing with a charge from the left side when Sergio Rico blasted a shot from 20 yards out. His attempt was saved by Cougar goal keeper Jorge Pesquera but the rebound left a wide open cage where Giovanni Rodriguez deposited the ball for his first goal of the season.
That lead was short lived as the Cougars got the equalizer in the 40th minute. Rene Santos scored his second goal of the season when his corner kick tucked neatly inside the near post on a perfect swinging ball that the Argonauts defense didn't defend.
Notre Dame de Namur had a golden opportunity just past the game's hour mark but Esteban Berumen's chance on against Pesquera was blocked at the last possible moment by a sliding effort from Lloyd Alexander.
The senior combination of Raul Martinez and Dane Johnson put together the go-ahead goal in the 72nd minute. Martinez worked the ball down the left side of the field before centering a beautiful ball to Johnson whose shot found the back of the cage for his first goal of the season. For Martinez it was his team best fourth assist.
Notre Dame de Namur tied the contest in the 85th minute. Josh Guzman headed home a great cross from the right side off of feed from Noah Park.
Their celebration was short lived for the visitors as Arturo Astorga posted his second straight game winner in the 86th minute. The freshman chipped the winner over Argonaut goal keeper Alex Clewis. He received the ball when Kaleb Armbrust looped a pass through the box from the left side to the far post.
Notre Dame de Namur had one final solid push but Esteban Berumen's header clipped off the post with just over two minutes left.
Azusa Pacific now hosts Academy of Art for their third game of a five-match homestand on Saturday at Noon.
