Nov. 19, 2004

Rams' season ends with 4-2 loss to Azusa Pacific

OLATHE, Kan. - The University of Mobile (12-6-1) fought back from a 2-0 deficit only to fall to No. 9 seed Azusa Pacific University (Calif.) 4-2 in the second round of the NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship held at the College Boulevard Activity Center in Olathe, Kan.

Azusa Pacific freshman midfielder Brandon Stirm struck first just more than one minute into the match on a put back off of a defender. Less than 20 minutes later junior forward and Ukranian phenom Andriy Budnyy found a hole in Mobile's defensive wall, as he nailed a free kick from 25 yards out, to give the
Cougars a 2-0 lead.

Mobile, who kept the Cougars on their heels nearly the entire length of the match by out-shooting them 22-14, got things going in the 42nd minute. Bjorn Asbjornsson scored to keep the Rams within striking distance, making the score 2-1 at the half. A through ball played in by Mathias Kruskemper was collected by Pete Rantala who skinned two defenders before centering the ball across the
face of the goal for a fast-charging Asbjornsson.

Asbjornsson struck again in the 67th minute on a pass from freshman midfielder Edgar Morales. Morales maneuvered through two Azusa defenders before laying off the ball to Asbjornsson who ripped a near-post shot just inside the 18-yard box for the equalizer.

Tied at 2-2, Mobile was called for a penalty on an Azusa Pacific break away. Budnyy put in another direct kick from 25 yards out to put Azusa ahead 3-2.

Finally, Azusa's Stirm put the game away for the Cougars when he dribbled across the box and shot a left footer that curled into the right upper-90 in the 87th minute.

With only one member of Mobile's starting 11 graduating, the Rams will once again look to make a run at yet another national title in 2005 as they return mostly freshmen and sophomores next season.

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