GSAC sets 'em up, Stirm knocks 'em down (10/1)

When Azusa Pacific offered a scholarship to VC alum Brandon Stirm ('04), they knew they were chasing the recruit on the top of many GSAC (Golden State Athletic Conference) team's lists.  Brandon was sought after by all of the top teams in GSAC and ended up signing with APU.  He has not disappointed.  In Thursday's league game, Stirm scored his 4th game winning goal of the season in a 2-1 OT win.  “This guy is unbelievable,” said Wolf (APU's head coach, and the man who signed Stirm). “He has 4 goals and all of them game winners—Holy Names, Berry, Fresno Pacific and now Concordia—those are some very good teams that he’s stepped up against.”  Two of those teams are nationally ranked in the top 10!

 

After the Cougars were set to win the game in regulation, the lead was snatched form their hands late in the game. Stirm made the apparent letdown disappear with a game-winner 8 minutes into the first overtime to lift the NAIA's No. 5-ranked Azusa Pacific to a 2-1 GSAC win at Concordia. After the game Stirm said. "I play on a great team, surrounded by top notch players.  They keep getting me the ball in big situations, and I've been able to put it away." The road win was huge for the Cougars who now sit at 2-0 in league and 8-0-1 overall ahead of a match vs. Master's 10/6 in Azusa.

 

"There was a lot of pressure for Brandon to perform this season, and he has.  I'm not suprised whatsoever, and I don't think the GSAC coaches who recruited him are either," said former VC coach John Basanese. Valley fans grew accustomed to Brandon scoring big goals in big games...and it's clear that nothing has changed for this APU freshman.