Nov. 19, 2007

OLATHE, Kan. - No. 1 Azusa Pacific (Calif.) scored the lone goal of the game in the 69th minute to defeat No. 5 Simon Fraser (B.C.) in the first semifinal game of the 2007 NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship Tournament.  The Cougars will advance to their third straight championship game.

After a scoreless first half, senior forward Steven Lenhart put Azusa Pacific on the scoreboard 24 minutes into the second half.  Lenhart took a pass from senior midfielder Kolt Callaway and found the back of the net from just outside the box.

Simon Fraser put pressure on the Cougars with eight straight shots including shot by the Clan's junior goalie Thomas Lindley on a corner kick that went wide in the final seconds.  APU defenders stepped up to seal the win as they blocked five shots and the junior goalie James Crawford stopped one shot.

Crawford finished the game with two saves in the victory while Lindley made two saves in the loss for the Clan.

The Cougars will improve their record to 19-1-1 and will advance to the 2007 Championship game to face the winner of the second semifinal game between No. 10 Auburn-Montgomery and No. 6 Concordia (Calif.).

Simon Fraser will end the season with 17-2-1 overall record.