Nov. 20, 2007
OLATHE, Kan. - The potent offense of No. 1 Azusa Pacific (Calif.) carried it to its first Championship title in school history with a 2-0 win over No. 6 Concordia (Calif.) tonight at the College Boulevard Activity Center. The Cougars of APU (20-1-1) peppered Concordia with 28 overall shots including 10 on goal.
Azusa Pacific unloaded early on goal, putting up eight shots in the first 10 minutes. Concordia goalkeeper Mike Borst was busy and was faced with some tough shots on goal. He made two leaping stops in the start, one after Azusa's Sven Simon ricocheted a ball off his head to the far right post.
The offensive pressure by Azusa Pacific turned into scoreboard output as Simon found the net in the 42nd minute for his third goal of the Championship. The goal was unassisted as he dribbled around the keeper on the left side of the box. That was the eighth shot on goal for the Cougars.
Azusa controlled the offensive attack in the first half holding a 22-0 overall shots advantage including eight on goal. Borst made seven saves in the first 45 minutes.
Concordia's (19-4-0) Eric Mendoza notched his team's first overall shot, a direct rope in the 47th minute that APU goalie James Crawford corralled in the box.
In the second half, both teams kept mid-field ball control until Azusa's Ashkon Banihashemi nailed his first goal of the Championship in the 72nd minute. Two assists were credited to Simon and Steven Lenhart. At that point, Azusa held a 2-0 lead.
NOTES: The men's and women's teams from Azusa Pacific played tonight in the Championship title matches - it marks the first time in NAIA history that both programs have competed in the finals match in consecutive seasons... The APU women lost 2-1 to Martin Methodist (Tenn.)... Azusa Pacific (Calif) is the first No. 1 seed to win the hardware since Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) did so in 2001... Azusa has now won four straight in the series with Concordia and eight of the last 10... Azusa improves to 10-3-3 in Championship play including a 7-1 record in its last eight such games... The Cougars of Azusa out-scored their opposition 9-2 in the Championship... Concordia was shut-out for the first time in eight matches... The Championship title appearance this year is Azusa's third straight.
2007 NAIA Men's Soccer All-Tournament Team:
Goalkeepers:
Mike Borst, Concordia (Ala.), Sr.
Nenad Cudic, Auburn-Montgomery (Ala.), So.
Forwards:
Lucas Barrett, Simon Fraser (B.C.), So.
Pablo Campos, Fresno Pacific (Calif.), Jr.
Steven Lenhart, Azusa Pacific (Calif.), Sr.
Steinthor Thosteinsson, Auburn-Montgomery (Ala.), Fr.
Midfielders:
Josh Bennett, Simon Fraser (B.C.), Fr.
Nik Chamberlain, Auburn-Montgomery (Ala.), So.
Jon Fahey, Concordia (Calif.), So.
Elijah Mwansanga, Azusa Pacific (Calif.), Sr.
Defenders:
Luca Bellisomo, Simon Fraser (B.C.), Sr.
Hugh Davey, Embry-Riddle (Fla.), Sr.
Mike MIrzadeh, Concordia (Calif.), Sr.
Eric Winblad, Azusa Pacific (Calif.), So.
Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Tournament:
Steven Lenhart, Azusa Pacific (Calif.), Sr.
Defensive Player of the Tournament:
Mike Borst, Concordia (Calif.), Sr.
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