Nov. 17, 2006

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - No. 8 Azusa Pacific University survived and advanced with a 9-8 decision in sudden-death shootout over No. 9 Lee University in the second round of the NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship Friday (Nov. 17) evening at Embry-Riddle Soccer Stadium.

 

The match went to a tournament-record fourth shootout after the teams battled to a 1-1 draw. The previous record for shootouts came in the 2001 tournament when three matches went the ultimate distance. The 9-8 score in the shootout also surpassed the highest score in the extra period since Auburn University Montgomery defeated Bethel (Ind.) College 6-5 in the 2001 tourney.

 

Azusa Pacific improved to 15-3-3 and will face the tournament's Cinderella team - No. 17 Northwood (Fla.) University - in a 5 p.m. quarterfinal match Saturday (Nov. 18). The Flames ended their season at 15-5-3.

 

The teams matched each other shot for shot in the first eight rounds of the shootout with neither team missing. In the ninth round, Lee goalkeeper Luidgi Beauzile's attempt was stopped by Asuza Pacific goalkeeper James Crawford. However, Beauzile came back to stop Eric Winblad's shot to keep the shootout tied at 8. In the 10^th round, Crawford came up big again for the Cougars as he denied Neremie Deronvil's shot. Kolt Callaway ended the match when his attempt found the back of the net.

 

Lee, which set a tournament record with 17 corner kicks in the match, forced the extra time when Ivan Heredia scored his 30^th goal of the season in the 84^th minute tied the match at 1. Ricardo Pierre-Louis started the scoring threat with a shot that clanked the post and Heredia was in the neighborhood and fired it into the back of the net. The Cougars had taken the lead in the 12^th minute as Sven Simon registered his 12^th goal of the season.

 

No. 8 AZUSA PACIFIC 1, No. 9 LEE 1

                        

Lee                   0          1          0          0          -           1

Azusa Pacific   1          0          0          0          -           1

 

Scoring: 11:16 - Azusa Pacific, Sven Simon (12) (unassisted); 83:33 - Lee, Ivan Heredia (30) (unassisted)

Shots: Lee 19, Azusa Pacific 12.

Corner kicks: Lee 17, Azusa Pacific 2.

Goalie saves: Lee (Luidgi Beauzile 4, Team 1) 5, Azusa Pacific (James Crawford) 6.

Fouls: Lee 21, Azusa Pacific 19.