California Baptist University
Azusa Pacific
RICHARDSON IS GOLDEN
10/17/2010 2:07:00 AM | Women's Soccer
RIVERSIDE, Calif. --- It's been 15 years since California Baptist University has been on the winning side of a result against national-power Azusa Pacific. Just 34 seconds after being inserted into the game, Ashley Richardson changed history.
On just her second shot of the season, Richardson was golden.
Richardson beat Cougar keeper Alexa Douglas to the far post just 3:40 into overtime and the 14th-ranked Lancers upset the second-ranked Cougars, 2-1, Saturday.
"I didn't hit it well at all," said Richardson, "and I couldn't believe it went in. I was pretty ecstatic when it did though. It's a good way to get my first goal."
It was the Lancers first win over the Cougars since 1995 and 23 games and just their third win ever over the Cougars in 35 meetings.
They improve to 6-1 against NAIA nationally-ranked teams this year.
"They (APU) have set the standard for the GSAC, and we have had some pretty epic battles the past few years," said CBU Head Coach Kristen St. Clair. "But we have a special group here, and their performance, execution, heart and desire were all there today. We're pleased with the result, especially against one of the best teams around."
The win is the Lancers' second straight as they improve to 10-4 overall, 4-3 (12 points) GSAC. The Cougars take their first loss of the season and fall to 10-1-2, 5-1-1 (16 points) and drop into second place, one point behind The Master's.
The Cougars out-shot the Lancers just 15-14, but CBU took the only three shots in the extra time. After a throw-in on the left side, Kylee Nicassio flicked it to Fabiola Zanella da Silva. The All-American then found Richardson just inside the top of the area. With a defender sliding over, Richardson let loose a shot that snuck by Douglas and into the net in the 94th minute.
The extra time almost didn't come, but the Cougars used some late-game heroics to make the Lancers work an extra four minutes for the win. The Cougars out-shot the Lancers 9-4 in the second half and finally converted on one of them just 3:59 from the end. Natalie Sun volleyed in a cross from Kelsey Walker to force overtime.
Senior Jacquelyn Witz gave the Lancers a late 1-0 lead when she converted a beautiful header from a da Silva cross in the 67th minute. It was Witz's 33rd career goal and fifth of the season and came when she and six of her teammates were honored before the game on Senior Day.
"This was a collective team effort," said St. Clair. "Today was a result of the hard work of everybody from the front to the back. Our defensive line was really good today. We've been working hard at shoring things up in the back, and they played well today."
