LA MIRADA, Calif. --- Sophomore
Jessica Austin headed in a corner kick from junior
Taylor Lundquist two minutes into the second overtime as Biola University shocked No. 3 Azusa Pacific University 2-1 in a GSAC match at Al Barbour Field on Saturday afternoon.
The Eagles improve to 7-5-0 with the win--their first over the Cougars in seven seasons and just their fifth overall. Biola also remains in a second-place tie in the GSAC with a 4-1-0 conference mark.
Azusa Pacific, ranked No. 3 in the latest NAIA National Poll, drops to 7-2-1 on the season and to 3-2-0 in conference play.
Biola struck first with a goal in the 16th minute as Taylor Lundquist lofted a long cross into the box where Brittany Barr found it and pushed it over the keepers head with a light touch.
After being outshot 4-3 in the first half, Azusa Pacific dominated offensively in the second half, but could not find the equalizer until late when Natalie Sun collected a loose ball in the box and blasted it into the net with just over five minutes left in regulation.
The Cougars had a few chances in the first overtime, but could not convert. Biola seemed to have the better of play early in the second overtime, though resulting in a pair of corner kicks. After the first was cleared, the Eagles went right back toward goal and a forced the second. Lundquist stepped into the kick from the far side and bent it in toward the goal where Austin jumped and headed it in.
Biola finished with two goals against a stingy Azusa Pacific defense which had surrendered just four in nine games coming into the contest including just one over the last seven matches.
Biola senior goalkeeper Erin Frushon was fantastic in goal, making three saves but being active off her line to thwart numerous chances by the Cougars.
The victory was Biola's first win over Azusa Pacific since 2004 when the Eagles won 2-1 in Azusa. Coming into the match, the Cougars held a 20-4-2 edge in the series. The match was also the final GSAC match between the two arch-rivals as APU is moving to play in NCAA Division II beginning next year.
Biola closes out the regular season with three of its final four matches on the road--all against teams in the NAIA Top 25 or receiving votes. The Eagles travel to Santa Barbara on Tuesday to face No. 12 Westmont on Tuesday at 3:00 p.m.