AZUSA, Calif. -- The Cougars took a huge step toward defending their PacWest men's soccer title Thursday night, downing Point Loma by a 2-0 score at the Cougar Soccer Complex. Senior forward James Ndubueze provided all the offense, striking twice late in the first half.
How it Happened: Azusa Pacific controlled the possession in the early portion of the match, routinely lobbing dangerous balls over the Sea Lions' back line for Ndubueze and David Kwinn to run onto them. The Cougars would record five shots on goal in the first half hour before Point Loma had their most dangerous opportunity of the evening. A Sea Lion throw in from the left side in the 31st minute resulted in a shot from the left side of the box that was punched away by Leo Moreno, the only save the Cougar netminder would have to make despite Azusa Pacific conceding nine corner kicks in the match.
Six minutes later, the Cougars' pressing style would finally pay dividends. Kwinn got to a loose ball in the middle of the field and fed the ball wide to David Medeiros. Medeiros took one dribble, then launched a cross into the box, which Ndubueze would head into the right-hand side of the net from 15 yards out for his fifth goal of the season.
It would take just five minutes for the Cougars to double their advantage. Another long ball found Jonah Peck on the left wing. Peck's cross was knocked down by a Sea Lion defender in the box, but fell to Ndubueze near the penalty spot. The captain calmly turned and drove a shot into the left side of the net for his second of the game.
By the Numbers: The Cougars put 13 shots on goal on the night and outshot the Sea Lions for the game 26-6, including 15-0 in the second half. This was Ndubueze's seventh-career multi-goal game, after accomplishing the feat half a dozen times during the 2019 season. Ndubueze has put nine shots on goal in the past two games, after recording just seven in his first 12 outings this year. Moreno only had to make one save, but it was enough to record his sixth victory of the season and his fourth-consecutive shutout. Moreno has allowed just one goal in his collegiate career and is currently on a shutout streak of 438 minutes. Head-to-head, the Cougars have won five consecutive matches against Point Loma dating back to the 2018 season, and three straight by a two-goal margin.
Playoff Implications: With the victory, Azusa Pacific improved to 10-2-2 on the season, 6-1-1 in the PacWest and is now alone in second place in the conference standings. The Cougars sit one point behind Hawai'i Pacific (8-5-2, 6-1-2 PacWest), but the Cougars have two games remaining to the Sharks' one. If the Cougars win their remaining two games, they will win the conference championship and the automatic bid into the NCAA tournament that comes with it.
Up Next: Azusa Pacific will close out their home schedule next Thursday, November 11, when they welcome Fresno Pacific to the Cougar Soccer Complex. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., before which the team will honor the senior class.
