AZUSA, Calif. – As time began winding down at the Cougar Soccer Complex, it appeared the Chaminade University men's soccer team was on the verge of setting for a scoreless tie against Azusa Pacific.
That would not come to fruition. Instead, the Silverswords were stunned with a goal with just 24 seconds remaining, giving the Cougars a 2-0 win under cool and, at times, rainy conditions.
Gregoire Diep got the game winner, connecting on a shot from just outside the goal area to help last season's Pacific West Conference champions improve to 4-7-3 overall and 2-2-2 in the conference.
Chaminade fell to 2-6-2 overall and 2-3-1 in the PacWest.
Following Diep's goal, APU quickly retained possession, pushed the ball into their attacking area where Jesse Echeverria floated a shot over the defense from well outside the penalty area and into the net with nine seconds remaining.
A defensive struggle for the first 89 minutes, the Silverswords found themselves under a constant Azusa Pacific attack, fending off the first 19 shots and coming away unscathed each time. Thirteen of the Cougars' 21 shots came in the opening 45 minutes.
Chaminade could must just one shot, coming off the foot of their leading goal scorer
Owen Caba (West Linn, Ore./West Linn).
The 'Swords defense tightened up in the second half, allowing just three shots until the two fateful APU goals in the final 24 seconds. CUH also managed to get some looks at the Cougars' net, getting off five shots.
Caba had two of Chaminade's shots in the match while
Ryan Anderson (Carlsbad, Calif./Cal State Monterey Bay/San Marcos HS),
La'akea Gonsalves (Anahola, Kaua'i, Hawai'i/Kapa'a),
David Kurihara (Mililani, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Hanalani) and
Daniel Villalva (Chula Vista, Calif./La Sierra College/Otay Ranch HS) took one each.
Brandon Yasue (Honolulu/Kaiser) made eight saves in front of the 'Swords' net. His APU counterpart, Leo Moreno, had one save.
The Silverswords will be at Biola on Monday. Kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m. Hawai'i time.
