AZUSA – A pair of goals late in the contest propelled Biola past Azusa Pacific as the old rivals renewed their acquaintances on Wednesday evening.
After spending numerous years as rivals on the NAIA level, the rivalry was put on an hiatus of sorts as Azusa Pacific moved to the NCAA ranks. With Biola in their first season of NCAA provisional membership, the rivalry is back.
HOW IT HAPPENED: Azusa Pacific was a solid aggressor in the opening 45 minutes. They pressed the ball into the upper third time-and-time again but came up empty handed.
There were a handful of chances for both squad in the second half. Biola had a Kearon Kerr shot from 12 yards out, but Brendan Fix made a great save to keep the contest scoreless early in the frame. Less than 15 minutes into the second half, Stephen Flora hit a tough angle shot that would have been a goal but his touch went just wide of the near post. In the 77th minute Colton Hunter had a shot that looked bound for the back of the net but was blocked aside by the Cougar defense.
The game winner came from Kerr who scored in the 83rd minute. After a pair of beautiful passes from Jake Munivez and Parker Setran, Kerr volleyed the ball into the back of the cage from six yards.
Jarrett Pugh scored an insurance goal in the 86th minute on a penalty kick.
QUOTEABLE: "The first half was the best half we played all season. We moved the ball well and played with a crispness and precision we haven't had yet," said head coach Dave Blomquist. "The second half we came out a flat and we know as a team we can't do that. We have to stay at a high level."
AGAINST BIOLA: The Cougars now hold a 31-18-5 edge all-time against their rivals.
UP NEXT: Azusa Pacific travels to Dominican for a 2:30 p.m. Saturday contest.
CORNERSTONE CUP: With the reintroduction of this longstanding rivalry, the Cornerstone Cup presented by West Coast Sand and Gravel was introduce. Each time the schools meet in a head-to-head match-up, 10 points is available. The schools have 13 common sports. Whichever school accumulates the most points at the end of the school year will claim the Cornerstone Cup.
