COSTA MESA, CALIF.-- The All-American trio of Jennifer Babel, Kendra Payne and Andrea Alfiler each scored a goal to lead the NAIA's top-ranked Azusa Pacific to a 3-0 victory over Vanguard University in the Cougars' GSAC opener Tuesday night.

The victory, which indeed was impressive since Vanguard is ranked No. 22 in this week's NAIA Coaches' Poll, pushes Azusa Pacific's nation-leading unbeaten streak to 36 straight. Additionally, the defending GSAC champion Cougars have won 9 straight in conference play.

Babel broke a scoreless tie late in the first half when she converted her fourth penalty kick of the season to put the Cougars up 1-0 at the half.

The game remained close until the final 10 minutes of the contest when Payne and Alfiler each notched goals, allowing the Cougars to pull away for the victory. For Alfiler, it was her fourth goal of the season, and they've all come in the past 2 games. Payne, Azusa Pacific's all-time scorer with 133 points, increased her GSAC-leading point total to 27 for the season.

Azusa Pacific out-shot Vanguard, 12-4, and earned 4 corner kicks to the Lions' 2. Senior goal keeper Rachel Yanos had 4 saves, including an outstanding one in the first half and another fine stop in the second half. For her effort, she picks up her seventh shutout of the season and career shutout No. 23, just 2 off April Reed's (1991-94) school record.

"We're playing very well right now," said Cougar coach Christian Johnson, whose collegiate career coaching record improved to 49-6-3 in his 2-plus seasons at Azusa Pacific. "The players had a good team meeting about entering GSAC play and understanding that 8-0-2 in nonconference play means nothing now. We seem to finding a stride just at the right time.

Certainly Johnson is pleased that the Cougars' improved play comes just a week before the big showdown with No. 3-ranked Westmont. Yet, before the Cougars can turn their focus toward Westmont, they first must visit Concordia in another GSAC contest on Saturday.