AZUSA, Calif. – Dominican men's soccer was strong in possession but could not convert in the final third falling 2-0 to Azusa Pacific Saturday evening at the Cougar Soccer Complex.

The Penguins (4-4-2, 2-1-1 PacWest) had a prime chance to open the scoring in the 28th minute as Nick van der Waart van Gulik crossed a ball to Lex Bernier behind the back line and he went one-on-one with Leo Moreno in goal. Bernier sent a ball with pace towards the net but Moreno was able to get in front of the ball as it hit his head and bounced away to keep the score tied. It was the best opportunity from either team as both teams were scoreless at the break.

Dominican once again worked its way into scoring position as Bernier took a ball across the end line and crossed it to the top of the box to a cutting Cole Porter who flicked the ball with the outside of his foot to send it curling towards the near post but Moreno pushed it wide to keep his net clean. 

The Cougars began to pick up their pressure from there as Issaka Salifu hit the left post two minutes later and then had another prime opportunity in the 71st minute but Alejandro Reyes made a huge save to push the ball wide. One minute later, a pass from Salifu got past the Penguin backline to Mario Shuteriqi and he put it high inside the crossbar for the 1-0 lead. Salifu added to the lead in the 81st minute as a turnover in the defensive third put him in with only the keeper to beat and he won the matchup to push the lead to 2-0.

Dominican will return to the pitch Monday to take on Concordia University Irvine at 11 a.m. PDT at Golden Eagles Field.