AZUSA, Calif — A golden goal three minutes into overtime lifted No. 14 ranked Azusa Pacific to a 1-0 victory over SFU in a season-opening match between the two perennial powerhouse soccer programs Thursday evening.

David Kwinn was left alone behind the SFU backline eight yards from the end-line when a long shot from the top of the box bounced off SFU goalkeeper Aiden Bain's hands and chest as he tried to scoop up the hard shot. Kwinn was in the right place at the right time. With a quick reaction he sent the rebound high over Bain off the bar and into the goal to lift the Cougars to victory.

Simon Fraser players argued Kwinn was off-side but their pleas went unanswered.

It was the first game against NCAA competition in nearly two years for SFU, which went 1-1-1 in three preseason games against Canadian competition. Simon Fraser did not compete in 2020-21 due to the closure of the U.S./Canada border as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic but they were ranked No. 1 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll.

After an 18-1 2019 season, APU enters the 2021 campaign ranked No. 14 according to the United Soccer Coaches Associations (USCA) preseason poll.

Azusa carried the play for most of the match, directing 19 shots toward the SFU goal, with Bain making eight saves. SFU had just five shots with two on target.

The SFU men haven't lost a season-opener since 2015 when they suffered a 3-1 setback to Sonoma State but rebounded to go 10-3-4 that season.

Things don't get any easier for SFU, which plays its first nine games on the road. SFU faces No. 2 ranked Cal State Los Angeles on Sept. 5.

--@SFU_Athletics---