Nov. 20, 2006

OLATHE, Kan. - Top-seeded Azusa Pacific University (Calif.) earned its shot Monday night at a second NAIA national championship after defeating Concordia University (Ore.) 3-1 in the semifinals of the NAIA Women's Soccer National Championships at the College Boulevard Activity Center in Olathe, Kansas.

The Cougars of Azusa Pacific took an advantage in the 37^th minute on a Bridget Brotherton goal from the left side of the 18-yard box an assist by Sara Odenthal and Jolie Nitta.

Concordia answered early in the second half as Cavalier midfielder Justine Pronovost scored her 18^th goal of the season off a Jennifer Hughes assist to even the score at 1-1.

Azusa Pacific would pull away at the end of the second half on unassisted goals from Karen Lawrence (81:51) and Jolie Nitta (85:16) to reach the final score of 3-1.

Concordia University, the Region I champion, ends its season with a record of 20-2-2, while Azusa Pacific moves to 21-1-1 on the season.

Azusa Pacific will meet the winner of No. 2 Lindsey Wilson College (Ky.) and No. 3 Martin Methodist College (Tenn.) Tuesday night at 6 p.m. Azusa Pacific last played for the national championship in 2002 losing to Westmont (Calif.) 1-2.

Goals by Period:

                      1^st          2^nd               Final

CU                0            1                  1

APU              1            2                  3

Scoring Summary:

Period            Time           Team           Player                    Assist

1                      36:46          APU              Brotherton             Odenthal, Nitta
2                      63:54          CU                Pronovost              Hughes
2                      81:51          APU              Lawrence              Unassisted
2                      85:16          APU              Nitta                        Unassisted

Cautions/Ejections:

None.