AZUSA, Calif. -- The game was closer than the final score would indicate, but the Azusa Pacific men's soccer team won its third in a row Monday night, defeating Academy of Art by a final of 4-1 at the Cougar Soccer Complex.  Carlos Granados scored twice in the second half for the home side.

How it Happened:  Playing on a drenched field under the lights, the Cougars struck early.  After a close shot earned a corner kick at the ten-minute mark, Gregoire Diep sent the ball into the mix near the right post.  The ball fell to James Macpherson, who capitalized on the opportunity and scored his first collegiate goal.  The Cougars had several chances to add to their lead before halftime, but were unable to do so, including a missed penalty kick in the 30th minute.  The game would remain 1-0 into the second half despite Azusa Pacific having all nine shots in the opening half.

The game would turn on a sequence of fouls about ten minutes into the second half.  A free kick from about 35 yards out would be converted into an equalizer for the Urban Knights, as Gilli Kristjansson headed home the ball sent in by Gilly Miller.  Just three minutes later, a second sliding tackle suffered by David Medeiros resulted in a straight red card against Academy of Art, leaving the Cougars a man up for the rest of the game.  The ensuing free kick was sent into the box, where James Ndubueze's shot was blocked off the line.  The rebound fell to Granados, who scored his first of the season, which would prove to be the game-winner.

The Cougars continued pressing with the man advantage and it would pay dividends in the closing minutes.  Diep hit the post on a free kick in the 82nd minute, and four minutes later he would find David Kwinn at the top of the box, who laid the ball off for Ndubueze, who finished off the chance for his fourth of the season.  A minute later, a counterattack resulted with Medeiros sending a ground ball from the left edge of the box to Granados, who scored his second of the night to round out the scoring.

By the Numbers:  The Cougars outshot the Urban Knights for the game 23-4, and nine shots on goal to three.  Brendan Fix got the win with a pair of saves in the second half.  Ndubueze took 10 shots during the game, putting half of them on target.  Azusa Pacific had three corner kicks in each half.  Diep and Medeiros are now tied for the team lead with four assists each.  With the win, the Cougars are now 7-2 all-time against Academy of Art, having outscored the Urban Knights 24-7.

Up Next:  The Cougars will have nine days off before continuing their five-game homestand.  The next home game will be on November 4th against Point Loma, with kickoff at the Cougar Soccer Complex scheduled for 7:30 p.m.