SAN DIEGO, Calif. – In a win or go home game, the Cougars weren't ready to end their season.
Azusa Pacific posted a 3-1 victory against No. 21 Sonoma State to advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Tournament Information
With the victory Azusa Pacific advances to play UC San Diego in the second round. The game will be played at 12 p.m. on Saturday at the Triton Soccer Field.
It is the second straight year the Cougars beat Sonoma State (12-3-3) during the NCAA Tournament. Last season Azusa Pacific posted a 1-0 win during a second-round home contest.
Post Game Comments from head coach Jason Surrell
Thursday's game was tightly played through as both team created quality chances. Ultimately the game's first goal came in a funky manner.
The best chance for the Cougars (12-3-4) in the opening half before their goals came on a set piece from 30 yards out. Lindsey Ryals free kick clear the wall but also the cross bar by four feet in the 18th minute. Just past the halfway mark in the opening frame, Sonoma State played a huge long ball that gave Courtney Shoda a great shot but Cougar goal keeper Sarah Klinkenberg grabbed the attempt.
The deadlock broke open when the Cougars got their first goal in the 36th minute. The Sonoma State goal keeper, Allison Hadidian, booted a clearing attempt off the ground right into the body of Stephanie Lossau. After the ball hit Lossau it bounced harmless back towards the goal line and into the back of the net.
With less than 10 seconds left in the half, Kellie Yoshihara scored on a shot that was thrown at the cage and ultimately tucked into the back of the goal. The net-finder, her first of the season, came from 25 yards away from goal.
During the opening minutes of the second half, the Seawolves cut their deficit in half. Sam Layman scored her third goal of the season in the 49th minute when she controlled a loose ball in the box then deposited the it into the net from close range.
As the final minutes of regulation wound down, each team was able to get quality chances inside the box but Klinkenberg and Hadidian successfully held down their fort until the final minutes.
With just over six minutes left, Azusa Pacific all but sealed the game. After receiving a good pass from Allyn Brown on the wide right side of the field, Mikaela Truckey played a beautiful ball to the far left post. Waiting for the ball was Kennedy Christie who headed the ball into the goal for the two-goal cushion.
The stat sheet showed how closely played the game was. Sonoma State held a 14-13 edge in total shots while each team took two corner kicks.
Klinkenberg made six saves in front of the goal.
