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Azusa Pacific University Athletics

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Kerns
Trinitee Carroll
3
Dominican (CA) DUC (3-5-1, 1-1-1)
4
Winner Azusa Pacific APU (1-5-1, 1-0-0)
Dominican (CA) DUC
(3-5-1, 1-1-1)
3
Final
4
Azusa Pacific APU
(1-5-1, 1-0-0)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Dominican (CA) DUC 1 2 3
Azusa Pacific APU 0 4 4

Game Recap: Men's Soccer | | Michaela Boyd

The Most Dangerous Lead

Cougars come back from a 2-0 deficit, score 4 goals in 14 minutes to defeat Dominican 4-3

AZUSA, Calif.– It is a well-known saying that 2-0 is the most dangerous lead to have in soccer. It lulls teams into false sense of security that leaves the door wide open for a comeback from the opposing side. The Cougars overcame an early 2-0 deficit, scoring 4 goals in 13 minutes to beat the Penguins 4-3 in their PacWest opener, and prove why that saying endures.

The night started on the back foot for APU, as Dominican struck early in the first half, going up 1-0 in the opening 11 minutes of play. The Cougars saw life in center back Ty Kerns, when he beat three Dominican defenders and sent a left footed shot ricocheting off the crossbar- just inches from tying the game. APU conceded a second goal in the 59th minute as the Penguins converted a penalty kick to go up 2-0.

The response came in emphatic fashion. In the 71st minute, an APU corner kick was punched out by Dominican's keeper, but remained dangerously in the Penguin's penalty box. Leke Ademola poked the ball to Joshua Lugo who went to ground and still managed to slot the ball past the keeper, sliding it into the back of the net to cut the margin to 2-1. In the 81st minute, the Cougars evened the score as Ty Kerns rose at the near post and flicked home a header off a corner from Steven Alvarenga, making it 2-2.

The Cougars' momentum didn't stop at the draw. Just one minute later, APU drew a penalty kick. With the go-ahead goal, and the Cougars first win of the season on the line, captain Luis Solis stepped up to the penalty spot and expertly converted a cheeky Panenka. This risky move is a chip shot down the center of the goal that relies on body feigning the goalie to commit to one side to free up the middle of the net. 

Only two minutes later, Leke Ademola struck in the 84th to seal the deal, scoring his 4th goal of the season off a brilliant through ball all the way from goalkeeper Alexis Rodriguez, who earned the first assist of his career. The breakaway goal from the senior striker proved to be the game winner, as Dominican managed to get on the board again in the final minute of play, but the Cougar defense held firm to close out the victory.

Inside the Box Score

  • Four different Cougars scores: Lugo, Kerns, Solis, and Ademola
  • Three of the four goals came in a 3 minute span (81-84 minute)
  • APU outshot the Penguins 19-9, with 8 on target to DUC's 4 on goal
  • Both Kerns and Lugo saw their first career goals
  • Ademola continues to lead the Cougars in goals (4) and points (9)
  • Solis is second, with 3 goals and 6 points
  • Rodriguez picked up the first assist of his career
Up Next: APU will host Fresno Pacific in a non-conference match on Saturday Oct 4. Kickoff at the Cougar Soccer Complex is at 7:30 p.m.

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