By Beth Renkoski

11/06/04

Cougars chase Lions out of Region II Semifinal

APU's first goal hits the net past diving Tommaso Bianchi

Azusa, CA - NAIA No. 3 ranked Azusa Pacific University and No. 11 ranked Vanguard University, 2004 GSAC Co-Champions, squared off today in a semifinal matchup of the Region II Tournament. The Cougars, who posted a 3-2 win over the Lions two weeks earlier, out-played the Lions by a 5-2 score this afternoon.

The Cougars struck 18 minutes into the game with two goals coming in a time frame of only two minutes. Both goals came from All-GSAC selection Andriy Budnyy, who eventually played a part in every APU goal of the day.

Vanguard closed the gap with a goal from VU’s All-GSAC player Nathan Kramer, assisted by GSAC Player of the Year Matt Hess. Four minutes later (32:47), APU pushed the lead back to two when Budnyy assisted Ian Leibbrandt with his first goal of the game.

Returning from the halftime break with a 3-1 lead, the Cougars kept coming at the Lions, who took seven first-half shots but only connected on the one by Kramer. 1:37 into the second period, Budnyy fed Leibbrandt again, and Leibbrandt converted APU’s fourth goal of the day.

Meanwhile, VU began racking up more penalties than goals. Senior Jose Hernandez was red-carded only seconds after Leibbrandt’s second goal, leaving the Lions one man short.

APU capitalized less than seven minutes later. This time it was Kolt Callaway who received a cross from Budnyy and blasted a shot to the left side for a 5-1 Azusa advantage.

Vanguard, hungry for an unprecedented trip to the Region II Championship, cut the deficit to three on another Kramer goal in the 64th minute of play. Junior Mark Babel notched the assist on the play.

Things really went sour for the Lions from that point. A flagrant foul by Kramer put the Lions down two players with seven minutes remaining in the game, but 5-2 remained the final score as time ran out on VU’s best season in program history.

The Lions finish 16-5 overall, after a 9-1 GSAC campaign. The Cougars, who also posted a 9-1 GSAC record, continue the postseason with a 16-1-1 record. APU will host the NAIA Region II Championship next Saturday against Holy Names University.