Phoenix, Ariz. – La Sierra University (6-2-0, 2-0-0 A.I.I.), ranked number 24 in this week’s NAIA national coaches’ poll, scored what proved to be the match-winning goal in the 75th minute and edged host Arizona Christian University (0-6-0, 0-2-0 A.I.I.), 2-1, in Friday afternoon action, September 23, at the Rose Mofford Sports Complex in Phoenix.

Arizona Christian travels to Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, California, Tuesday, Sept. 27, at 3 p.m. for its only match next week, and returns home Friday, Oct. 7, for a 7 p.m. match against Soka University of America at the Rose Mofford Sports Complex.

Although the final 2-1 score and a 15-6 shot advantage went in La Sierra’s favor, Friday’s match was a much different effort for ACU.  On August 27, the first match of the season. La Sierra scored four first-half goals and demolished ACU, 7-0, outshooting the Firestorm, 21-6, and leading 4-1 in corner kicks.  On Friday, La Sierra scored just one goal in the first half at the 29th minute and one goal in the second half and led just 10-8 in corner-kick opportunities.  ACU scored a tying goal in the second half, its first goal against La Sierra in nearly 160 minutes of action this season.

“Even though La Sierra outshot us, ACU was able to limit their dangerous chances in the goal box,” says ACU head coach Jonathan Lenarz, who adds, “I was really pleased with the total defensive effort as organized by senior back Cody Kleppe (Vista, Calif./Rancho Buena Vista H.S.).  Our offense is showing signs of being more dangerous, and I really believe that our first win is just around the corner.”

Freshman midfielder Dakota Shelton put La Sierra ahead 29 minutes into the match, and the Golden Eagles led 1-0 going into intermission, but La Sierra attempted just five first-half shots while ACU tried four, including an exceptionally dangerous attempt by junior midfielder Tim Vidaurreta (Phoenix, Ariz./Home Schooled/Paradise Valley CC) who found himself with an hard, open shot directly on LSU goalkeeper Gabriel Esqueda, who blocked the shot out of bounds for an ACU corner kick at the 17:29 mark.  Sophomore goalkeeper Jorge Arauz (Las Vegas, Nev./Durango H.S.) saved two shots on goal in the first half, while Esqueda saved three.

ACU forward Mark Sekelsky (Phoenix, Ariz./Scottsdale Christian Academy) evened the score at 66:41 in the second half on a corner-kick set piece.  Freshman midfielder Alfonso Romero (Douglas, Ariz./Douglas H.S.) kicked the ball low to sophomore forward Sidney Jones (La Ceiba, Honduras/Gatlinburg-Pitman H.S. (Tenn.), who backed-heeled the pass to Sekelsky at the far post for the goal, Sekelsky’s second of the season.

La Sierra midfielder Luis Escamilla, who scored a goal and an assist a month ago against ACU, was credited with the match-winner at 75:33, taking a through pass from Jonas Ornelas and firing a low shot past Arauz, giving LSU a 2-1 lead.  Arauz totaled six saves in the match, while Esqueda saved four.

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