SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – The Cougars struck first, but were unable to hold on against 8th-ranked Cal State San Bernardino, falling to the Coyotes by a 2-1 final Thursday afternoon at Premier Field.

The Cougars struck first in the 12th minute. Matthew Solis sent a cross into the box from the left wing.  Raul Lavado headed it back toward the center of the box, where it fell to the feet of Leke Ademola.  The senior sent a left-footed effort past the keeper for his first goal of the season.  The lead would hold for a little over 20 minutes before CSU San Bernardino answered, and the game would get to halftime at 1-1.

San Bernardino would take the lead just four minutes into the second half, and the Cougars were pressing the rest of the game chasing that elusive equalizer.  Despite outshooting the Coyotes 10-4 in the second half, including four attempts in the final six minutes, they were unable to find the back of the net again.

Inside the Box Score

• The Cougars outshot the Coyotes 14-8 for the game, putting 7 shots on goal 
• The Cougars were whistled for 17 fouls in the contest, 12 of them coming in the first half
• Ademola put 3 shots on target among his team-high 4 attempts. 
• Alexis Rodriguez went the distance in net, making 2 saves for the Cougars
• Midfielder Ty Kerns was the only field player to play the full 90 minutes for the Cougars, while the 7 players who came off the bench for Azusa Pacific contributed 5 shot attempts

Up Next: The Cougars (0-3-1) finally return home to play inside the confines of the Cougar Soccer Complex for the first time this season when they host Point Loma on Tuesday evening.  Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.