Azusa Pacific defeated No. 2-ranked Simon Fraser 2-1 in Saturday night’s matchup.
The Cougars took an early 1-0 lead with a goal in the third minute delivered by sophomore Luke Ackermann, who finished a deflected rebound off Simon Fraser’s keeper from a shot taken by junior Keenan Armbrust.
“The first goal in a massive game like this allowed us to get a little momentum, settle the game down for us, and was something to build on for the rest of the evening,” said head coach David Blomquist.
The Clan rallied back five minutes later, scoring off a free kick about 25 yards to the right of the goal. Robert Hyams sent the ball inside the box where Jovan Blagojevic headed it in to the back of the net, claiming his fourth goal in three games.
Junior forward Carlos Garcia-Partida gave the Cougars their 2-1 edge in the 78th minute with a right-footed blast from 10 yards off a back-heel pass from Armbrust, the junior’s second assist of the game.
“I saw the opportunity and I just went for it,” Garcia-Partida said.
The Clan placed two shots wide of the frame in the following minutes, unable to find a second equalizer.
The Cougars outshot the Clan 13-12, while the GNAC opponent held a 5-3 advantage in corner kicks.
“Simon Fraser is one of the top programs in the country, and so we prepared well. Over the last few days we worked hard, getting ready for this game,” Blomquist said. “We knew it was going to be a battle for 90 minutes.”
Azusa Pacific will continue non-conference play Thursday at Cal Poly Pomona.