Following a season in which Azusa Pacific men's soccer made history, head coach Dave Blomquist and assistant coach
Andriy Budnyy were named the United Soccer Coaches Division II West Region Staff of the Year as they led the Cougars to a second straight PacWest Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance.
The Cougars became the first PacWest men's soccer program in conference history to finish the regular season undefeated, as Azusa Pacific went 18-0 overall and 11-0 in conference play. Azusa Pacific outscored opponent 60-15 on the season, taking 368 shots while allowing just 132 shots in 19 matches. The Cougars allowed no more than one goal in 16 matches, including eight shutouts. The Cougars were ranked as the top-team in NCAA Division II for seven consecutive weeks, and were the number on seed in Super Region Four in the 2019 NCAA Tournament.
Blomquist and Budnyy recruited and assembled a roster that produced 12 All-PacWest selections and five All-West Region performers, including first-team All-West Region performers
James Ndubueze,
Arturo Astorga, and
Isaac Bawa. The 2019 Cougars' roster was made up of student-athletes from six different countries.
In 11 seasons at Azusa Pacific, Blomquist is 139-55-13 (.703). He has led the Cougars to three NCAA Tournament appearances, and is currently second all-time in Azusa Pacific history for most career wins.Â
While Azusa Pacific graduates several key contributors, the Cougars return many crucial performers and will reload with new talent, as they set out to secure their third consecutive PacWest crown and trip to the NCAA postseason in 2020.
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