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Azusa Pacific University Athletics

The Online Home of the Azusa Pacific Cougars
Ademola
Holly Magnuson
1
Azusa Pacific APU (4-6-3, 3-1-2)
1
Vanguard VU (6-4-3, 4-1-1)
Azusa Pacific APU
(4-6-3, 3-1-2)
1
Final
1
Vanguard VU
(6-4-3, 4-1-1)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Azusa Pacific APU 0 1 1
Vanguard VU 1 0 1

Game Recap: Men's Soccer | | Joel Simeone

Escaping the Lions' Den

Cougars strike late to salvage 1-1 draw at Vanguard.

COSTA MESA, Calif.– Down to practically their last shot, the Cougars found a late equalizer to collect a vital point in the race for the conference tournament, picking up a 1-1 tie Wednesday afternoon at Vanguard.

The opening 45 minutes were largely even in terms of statistics, with each team recording four shots and a single corner kick.  But late in the half, the Cougars were whistled for a foul in the box, giving Vanguard a penalty kick.  The Lions converted, taking a 1-0 lead with less than four minutes remaining before intermission.  It was the fifth penalty kick goal the Cougars have conceded this season.

Forced to chase the game, the Cougars pressed forward in the second half, and the numbers reflected that, earning four corner kicks in the first 16 minutes after the break.  But it still wasn't changing the most important statistic of all.  Finally, with a little over three minutes to play, the Cougars won a free kick from about 30 yards out near the top of the box.  Luis Solis sent a ball curling toward the left post, where Leke Ademola was able to get his head on it and direct it across to the right side and into the net to tie the game.

It wasn't over just yet, as Vanguard would press forward and hit the crossbar in the dying moments of the game, but Alexis Rodriguez would make a critical save and preserve the draw, earning the Cougars a valuable road point in the conference standings.

Inside the Box Score:

  • Ademola's goal was his team-leading 7th of the season, while Solis earned his 3rd assist
  • Both teams finished the game with 10 shots, with Ademola leading all players in the match with 4 attempts
  • Rodriguez's 2 saves give him 22 for the year
  • Since the calendar flipped to October, The Cougars are 4-1-2 and have outscored their opposition 14-11
  • The draw gives the Cougars 11 points in the conference standings, just 2 behind current first-place Vanguard and 1 behind a three-way tie for second
  • The top 4 at season's end will advance to the PacWest tournament, which will be hosted by Westmont.
Up Next:  Azusa Pacific (4-6-3 overall, 3-1-2 PacWest) will turn their attention to the Cornerstone Cup, as next on the docket is their homecoming game against Biola.  Kickoff on Saturday night is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

 
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