Eagles News
10.06.2009 - [Men's Soccer]
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Photo Courtesy: Carol Rammelsberg
AZUSA, CA --- A defensive
giveaway and an opportunistic moment from junior midfielder Alex
Picarelli gave the NAIA's No. 13-ranked Concordia a 2-1 halftime lead,
but No. 2 Azusa Pacific posted four second-half goals to earn a 5-2 win.
The loss drops Concordia to 6-4, including 2-1 in Golden State Athletic Conference play, while Azusa Pacific improves to 11-0, 4-0 GSAC with the win.
Picarelli's goal was one of three first-half highlights for Concordia, as he gained control of an errant pass in the Cougars' defensive third and promptly scored was was then the go-ahead goal in the 43rd minute.
Picarelli's tally, which gave Concordia a 2-1 advantage, was preceded by a goal from senior midfielder Ryan Angell, who wrapped a free kick around the defenders and into the near post of the Azusa Pacific goal in the 29th minute.
The goal from Angell made up for a quick score from Azusa Pacific's Brett Taylor, who would end with a pair of goals on the day.
The Cougars would have tied the score at 2-2 in the first half if it hadn't been for an outstanding, diving save by junior goalkeeper Mike Radchuk in the final minute of the half.
Azusa Pacific broke through with the game-tying goal in the 68th minute, when Cito Soriano--whose shot Radchuk saved at the end of the first half--headed in a cross from Mike Wilson to make it a 2-2 game.
Soriano later set up the game-winner, as he sent a ball from the right side to the left foot of Reid Baker, who promptly made it a 3-2 Azusa Pacific lead in the 81st minute.
Forty seconds later, the Cougars struck again, as Taylor headed in a pass from Nathan Nienhuis to stretch the lead to two goals. Soriano was credited an assist on the final goal of the game, as he set up Vini Dantas for a goal in the 90th minute.
Radchuk finished with four saves in the rough-and-tumble meeting between the two teams, which was still a rematch of sorts from the 2007 NAIA National Championship title game.
Five yellow cards were shown altogether, including three in the first half and three to the Eagles. Azusa Pacific was whistled for 20 fouls, while Concordia was called for 13.
Concordia next plays Westmont this coming Saturday (Oct. 10), starting at 4 p.m. in Santa Barbara.
Box Score
The loss drops Concordia to 6-4, including 2-1 in Golden State Athletic Conference play, while Azusa Pacific improves to 11-0, 4-0 GSAC with the win.
Picarelli's goal was one of three first-half highlights for Concordia, as he gained control of an errant pass in the Cougars' defensive third and promptly scored was was then the go-ahead goal in the 43rd minute.
Picarelli's tally, which gave Concordia a 2-1 advantage, was preceded by a goal from senior midfielder Ryan Angell, who wrapped a free kick around the defenders and into the near post of the Azusa Pacific goal in the 29th minute.
The goal from Angell made up for a quick score from Azusa Pacific's Brett Taylor, who would end with a pair of goals on the day.
The Cougars would have tied the score at 2-2 in the first half if it hadn't been for an outstanding, diving save by junior goalkeeper Mike Radchuk in the final minute of the half.
Azusa Pacific broke through with the game-tying goal in the 68th minute, when Cito Soriano--whose shot Radchuk saved at the end of the first half--headed in a cross from Mike Wilson to make it a 2-2 game.
Soriano later set up the game-winner, as he sent a ball from the right side to the left foot of Reid Baker, who promptly made it a 3-2 Azusa Pacific lead in the 81st minute.
Forty seconds later, the Cougars struck again, as Taylor headed in a pass from Nathan Nienhuis to stretch the lead to two goals. Soriano was credited an assist on the final goal of the game, as he set up Vini Dantas for a goal in the 90th minute.
Radchuk finished with four saves in the rough-and-tumble meeting between the two teams, which was still a rematch of sorts from the 2007 NAIA National Championship title game.
Five yellow cards were shown altogether, including three in the first half and three to the Eagles. Azusa Pacific was whistled for 20 fouls, while Concordia was called for 13.
Concordia next plays Westmont this coming Saturday (Oct. 10), starting at 4 p.m. in Santa Barbara.
Box Score
