CARSON, Calif. – Just over 10 minutes from victory, the Cougars must settle for a tie.

After rallying from a one-goal deficit Azusa Pacific took a lead late only to see Cal State Dominguez Hills score the final goal for a 2-2 tie.

"From the start to the end the guys played really well. We moved the ball well and established how we wanted to play. We didn't created a lot of chances in the first half. When we went down a goal our urgency really went up," said head coach Dave Blomquist.

An evenly play first half, where the Toros had seven total shots while Azusa Pacific tallied four, went the home teams way late. In the 43rd minute Mariano Pantoja scored on a free kick after goal keeper Tyler Jaramillo was called for touching the ball outside the box. Pantoja's decision to quick kick on the restart left the net vacated for the goal.

In the 72nd minute Caleb Candelaria scored his second goal of the season for the game's equalizer. The senior collected a loose ball in the box and deposited it into the back of the cage. Moments later the go-ahead goal came off a corner kick when Tim Ogunniyi recorded his first collegiate goal in the 75th minute. On the set piece Raul Martinez was credited with an assist.

"Both of our goals were off of restarts. Caleb's goal was after a ball was sent into the box and Caleb got to it first and just ripped a shot past the goal keeper. It was a really well served ball," Blomquist said. "Raul put a great ball into the box and Tim did a good job of finishing the play. Those goals came from applying pressures and I'm really pleased with that. We established a good rhythm in the second half and those goals were proof of that."

The home team was able to find an equalizer of their own in the 78th minute as Emmanuel Corona scored his first goal of the season off a cross from Joey Chica for the final goal of the contest.

"It is disappointing to not get the win because we played good enough to get a win but I'm pleased with our effort and attitude this evening. It is a fantastic game to watch," concluded Blomquist.

Azusa Pacific kicks off the home portion of their schedule on Thursday, Sept. 8 when they host Cal Poly Pomona.