OLIVER KIMOKEO | sports editor

The two-time NAIA runner-ups set their eyes on the 2008 women's soccer title.

Women’s soccer was so close, yet so far away.

Only 90 minutes from a national championship, the Cougars faltered their opportunity as they lost 2-1 to Martin Methodist (Tenn.) on Nov. 20, in Daytona Beach, Fla.
One year ago, the Cougars were in the same predicament. Last year, the Cougars played a 122-minute four-overtime match with Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) but the Blue Raiders came on top 2-1.

Perhaps avenging their 2006 championship loss in the 2007 semifinals was the dagger that broke the Cougars’ hearts once again.

Prior to facing Martin Methodist in the final, the Cougars battled the Blue Raiders in the semifinal the evening before. Lindsey Wilson was the only team to beat the Cougars in a 37-game span before the final. The Blue Raiders had defeated the Cougars twice.

The Cougars had the Blue Raiders number in the National Tournament this year. They defeated Lindsey Wilson, 2-1, in the semifinal.

The win, however, left the Cougars emotionally drained for the championship. The Cougars needed to reach deep down to defeat a national rival they could not defeat in prior matches.

Martin Methodist is a talented program as well and they earned their second national title in three years. As the No. 5 seed, the RedHawks defeated No. 4 Concordia (Ore.) and No. 1 Lee (Tenn.) prior to facing APU.

The RedHawks had control of the final from the very start. Martin Methodist midfielder Shannon Walker put the RedHawks ahead 1-0 in the fifth minute.

Cougar junior forward Sarah Yoro responded with a far right reader in the 26th minute to tie the score again. Seven minutes later though, RedHawks midfielder Clare Skyes answered the Cougar score with a far rocket score against APU senior goalkeeper Jill-Colfer Martinson.

The teams went into halftime with the RedHawks leading 2-1. There was no scoring in the second half and the Cougars lost their second consecutive national championship in a row.

It is evident that the Cougars did not play their usual game in the final. They lacked ball control and they could not ignite their passing game. APU put together a valiant effort to overcome their struggle but the RedHawks squashed every Cougar surge.

The match was physical between the two squads. 18 total fouls were committed and Yoro received a yellow card in the 74th minute.

For seniors Mari Kasamoto, Sara Odenthal, Randie Massro, and Colfer-Martinson, it was a bittersweet defeat.

The senior class has had an outstanding career at APU with three consecutive GSAC titles and two national championship appearance. But, they will leave APU without the ultimate prize.

In consideration of the excellent leadership of the seniors, the Cougars are a young team with emerging talent at all field positions.

Men’s soccer had to lose two consecutive championships before finally breaking through in 2007. There is the possibility women’s soccer will have do the same. If so, today is the day to carve their name on the 2008 trophy.

The Cougars will be returning NAIA Tournament Offensive MVP Theresa Broad. The sophomore forward led the Cougars with 22 goals.

Broad said the Cougars are hopeful for another opportunity of the national championship. She said that even though the Cougars are disappointed with the finish of this season, they are excited for the 2008 season.

The 2007 season finished in disappointment but the season in itself is another outstanding season for head coach Jason Surrell’s squad.

The Cougars finished with a 20-2-1 record which included a 16-game winning streak prior to the final. They overwhelmed their opponents. The Cougars held a 398-132 advantage in shots, a three to one ratio. Additionally, the Cougars outscored opponents 65-11.

The Cougars also had 12 shutouts to their name and only allowed a GSAC goal against Fresno Pacific and The Master’s College.

On Aug. 25, the Cougars began 2007 with a 4-0 win over eventual national quarterfinalist Concordia (Ore.). Cal. State Dominguez Hills tied the Cougars 1-1 three days later.

While the Cougar Classic was being held for men’s soccer during Sep. 7-8, the women played two home matches on both days prior to the men’s soccer doubleheaders.

The Cougars defeated Cal. State San Marcos, 1-0, and Graceland, 2-0 respectfully.

The Cougars traveled to Columbia, Ky., to play top national powers Lee and Lindsey Wilson in the KFLME Classic on Sep. 14-15.

In the Lee match, the Cougars quickly gained a 2-0 lead in the first 15 minutes but the Lady Flames responded with two goals of their own. Yoro put the game in the Cougars’ favor with a penalty kick goal in the 71st minute. The Cougars defeated the Lady Flames, 3-2.

On the following day, the Cougars fell to the Blue Raiders for their only regular season loss.

After the KFLME Classic, the Cougars faced their 10 GSAC opponents. APU dominated the GSAC once again and they have a current 23-game winning streak against GSAC teams coming into 2008.

The Cougars faced a tougher challenge in the Region II playoffs. The Cougars needed overtime to defeat Cal. State San Marcos 2-1 in the semifinal. In the Region II final, the Cougars scored 4 late goals to avoid a 1-0 defeat to Cal. Baptist.

In only eight years, Surrell has compiled a 138-19-13 record, which will set him up in the elite class of NAIA coaches in the years to come. For a program only 19 years young, the Cougars are a team to be reckoned with on the national scale.

Only a national championship eludes a dynasty for the talented Cougar women.

Teams are often judged by their last game of the season. Even so, the Cougars have stood tall and kept their composure despite the final-game stumble.

Until August 2008, the Cougars will live on the dream of putting faith on next year’s hope.