Jimmy Coggan
(class of '04) gets on the score sheet in Florida (9/20)
Former Valley Christian star Jimmy Coggan got the first point of
his college career with a game winning assist Saturday 9/18 in
Florida. In the 74th minute vs. Tampa, Coggan played a cross to
SPU teammate David Smith who played it off his chest for the
goal. The strike lifted the NCAA DII 24th ranked Falcons to a
2-1 victory, their third in a row (5-1-1). Coggan, who led the
Valley Christian Warriors to 40+ wins, and captained the best
soccer team in school history ('03-'04), is used to winning.
Entering the season as Seattle Pacific's top recruit, Coggan has
made the necessary adjustments to contribute. "College soccer is
a different game, but I haven't really felt like I'm in over my
head," Jimmy said. Aleks Vranicic, Coggan's former coach while
at VC commented, "This is just the beginning. Jim will help
lead that program back to their championship form, just like he
did at VC, he's a top flight player." Seattle Pacific's
seven-game road trip resumes Tuesday in Miami when the Falcons
visit No. 18 Barry.
APU update:
Sitting comfortably at 6-0-1, ranked #7 in the country, the
Azusa Pacific Men's soccer team is ready for league to begin.
The team is off to a school record pace, and is drawing
comparisons to the '96 team which is considered the best in
school history. Helping to anchor that team is VC's own Donny
Dequine and Brandon Stirm. Brandon added an assist to his
scoresheet in the 4-0 defeat of NCAA side Cal State
Pamona-Pitzer. Stirms' 2 goals and 2 assists, and Dequine's
goal have helped APU regain the form that saw them storm to a
24-2 record in '96. The team has no seniors on it's roster, and
is loaded heavily with Freshman and sophomores. The Cougars are
on a 12 day layoff while they prepare for a huge GSAC showdown
with #2 ranked Fresno Pacific, who's roster is loaded with ex
Fresno State (NCAA Div 1) players. "It's a huge game for us,
we're eager to show that we can take GSAC. To do that, we need
to get past Fresno Pacific," says Stirm.
An ankle sprain to VC alum Chris Hansen has slowed his progress,
but the standout should only be shelved for 1-2 weeks.
