BELLINGHAM, Wash. – NO. 3 Azusa Pacific defeated Western Washington 2-1, as the Cougars needed a golden goal in the 102^nd minute by senior Arturo Astorga to claim the road victory. The game-winner was Astorga's second goal of the game, and his third of the season.
 
Through the first half, neither team was able to break through on the scoreboard, as the two teams were locked in a 0-0 tie at the half. Astorga broke the scoreless tie in the 70^th minute, as he received a long pass from Bruno Pagani had who sent the ball long which put Astorga in a one-on-one with the Vikings' keeper. Astorga was able to beat the keeper and sent the ball into the back of the net.
 
In a game full of drama, the host Vikings waited until the final minute of regulation to strike back. Camron Miller tied the game at 1-1 with a looping header in the 90^th minute, which forced overtime.
 
Following a scoreless first ten minutes of overtime, Astorga struck quickly in the second overtime period. Just a little under two minutes into the second overtime, Cougar forward David Kwinn chipped a ball over a Viking defender, and Astorga was there to volley it past the keeper to end the game.
 
As the double-overtime result suggested, the Cougars survived a tough in-region road test. "This game was a great test," said head coach Dave Blomquist, "Western Washington is a very good team and to come on the road and get a result in a tight game is fantastic. The team showed such heart and team spirit in overtime."

Statistically, the Vikings took more shots than the Cougars (11-8), and Azusa Pacific goalkeeper Brendan Fix had to make five saves in the game to preserve Azusa Pacific's opportunity to win. Western Washington also had 10 corner kicks, while Azusa Pacific had one in the match.
 
Azusa Pacific improved to 6-0 with the win, and the Cougars will look to close out their quick trip to the Pacific Northwest with a victory over Seattle Pacific on Saturday, at 7:00 p.m.

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