AZUSA, Calif. – Despite tying their home finale on Senior Day, the day ended with what was hoped for.
A Point Loma goal late in the game knotted the score at 1-1 and that's what the final tally would be as the regular season came to a close.
Azusa Pacific could have won the PacWest title during Saturday afternoon with a win but was forced to wait until Dixie State beat California Baptist 2-1 in double overtime later in the day to secure the confernece title and the league's automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament. After the regular season the Cougars record stands at 11-3-4 overall and 9-1-3 in PacWest play. For Point Loma their season officially comes to an end with marks of 10-4-4 and 8-3-2 respectively.
On Monday afternoon (3 p.m. - PDT) the NCAA will have their selection show. At that time the Cougars will find out who their next opponent is and where they will play. The selection show can be view at NCAA.com/live.
The conference title is the 12th in school history and the program's second PacWest title in four years.
Prior to the game Azusa Pacific honored nine seniors for all their efforts in advancing the program.
Post Game Comments from head coach Jason Surrell
Things started quite well for the Cougars. Kelsey Bushman scored her fourth goal of the season in the 27th minute. The freshman deposited the ball into an open net after shot from Kennedy Christie was saved by Oriel Oriarte but not corralled.
In the 39th minute Azusa Pacific had an opportunity to add to their lead when Stephanie Lossau was fouled in the box by Oriarte. On the ensuing penalty kick by Cara Scammon, Oriarte guessed correctly as the shot went to the left side of the goal and saved.
As the second half unfolded each team had chances to get a goal on the scoreboard. Midway through the stanza Azusa Pacific hit a cross bar and just moments before that Point Loma put a corner kick into the box but their attempts at goal were thwarted aside by a strong Azusa Pacific defense.
The Sea Lions got the equalizer on a penalty kick with just under 15 minutes left. After Point Loma drew a foul just inside the left edge of the box Sarah Steinhaus scored on the free shot. That goal ended a shutout streak for Cougars goal keeper Sarah Klinkenberg that extended to nearly 500 straight minutes.
On their next offensive opportunity, the Cougars nearly took the lead back but a header off a corner kick banged off the cross bar and out of harm's way.
Point Loma had a ball find the back of the cage late in the second overtime but before the shot, Cori Deason was called for being offside.
