CLAREMONT, Calif. – Azusa Pacific scored twice in a span of less than 4 minutes early in the second half to erase a 1-goal deficit and take the lead, but Pomona-Pitzer answered with 2 goals of its own to hand the Cougars a 3-2 loss Wednesday night at Pomona-Pitzer Soccer Stadium.
The setback dropped Azusa Pacific to 4-4-2 on the season, while Pomona-Pitzer improved to 5-4-1.
The Sagehens took an early lead when Enzo Dal Bo scored in the eighth minute, and the 1-0 margin held through halftime. Despite trailing, the Cougars limited Pomona-Pitzer to just 2 shots in the opening 45 minutes while attempting 3of their own.
Azusa Pacific quickly turned the match around after intermission.
Just 3:45 into the second half, Mario Shuteriqi converted a penalty kick for his first goal of the season to pull the Cougars even at 1-1. Less than 4 minutes later, Edgar Ausencio put APU in front, finishing an opportunity off an assist from Logen Coffin at 52:21. It was Ausencio's third goal of the season.
The Cougars' 2-1 advantage, however, lasted less than 9 minutes.
Pomona-Pitzer equalized in the 62nd minute when Aidan Lopez Davis scored off an assist from William Ries. The Sagehens then produced the game-winner with just over 11 minutes remaining, as Nate McGlinchey scored at 78:50 to put Pomona-Pitzer back in front, 3-2.
Azusa Pacific finished even with Pomona-Pitzer in total shots, 9-9, and held a decisive 9-3 advantage in corner kicks, including a 7-1 edge in the second half. The difference came in the accuracy of the 2 attacks: Pomona-Pitzer put 5 of its 9 shots on goal, while APU's 2 goals accounted for its only 2 shots on frame.
Leke Ademola was particularly active in the Cougar attack, accounting for 6 of APU's 9 shots. Shuteriqi and Ausencio each scored on their only shots on goal, while Coffin recorded the assist on Ausencio's go-ahead goal.
In goal, Alexis Rodriguez played all 90 minutes for Azusa Pacific and made 2 saves.
The loss was a frustrating reversal for the Cougars, who responded to the early deficit with a strong start to the second half and generated considerably more set-piece opportunities than the Sagehens, only to see Pomona-Pitzer score twice over the final 29 minutes to reclaim the match.
Azusa Pacific returns to play on Saturday (Oct. 3) when the Cougars host Chapman at 11 a.m. in the Cougar Soccer Complex.
