Cougars Shutout Cal Lutheran

AZUSA, CALIF. -- Kendra Payne's unassisted goal in the 31st minute gave the NAIA's No. 4-ranked Azusa Pacific a 1-0 lead, and the defense took care of the rest, shutting out the NCAA Div. III's No. 19-ranked Cal Lutheran in a 4-0 nonconference victory Monday night.

Payne took control of the ball just past midfield, then dribbled through, around and past 2 CLU defenders for an open shot from 10 yards out. Regal goalkeeper Pamela Clark had no chance as Payne rifled the shot into the top of the net.

At halftime, the Cougars held a 1-0 lead behind Payne;s goal, but Cal Lutheran looked ready to threaten, matching Azusa Pacific's shot total of 6 at the break.

The Cougars broke it open late in the second half, however, as Payne took a pass off a throw-in, then delivered a pass to the middle of the box that Chrissy Sanford deposited into the net for a 2-0 Cougar lead in the 68th minute.

Melissa Myers then scored in the 84th minute on a pass from Melissa Scott to give the Cougars a comfortable 3-0 lead. Just 1:05 later, Kimber Carter scored after a pass from Kris Maldanado that gave Azusa Pacific the final 4-0 margin with less than 6 minutes to play.

The Cougars out-shot the Regals, 16-10, including a 10-4 margin in the second half, while the defense gave Azusa Pacific its seventh shutout of the season. Goalkeeper Melissa Strother tallied 6 saves in the win.

With the win, the Cougars improve to 12-2-3 overall, while Cal Lutheran drops to 13-3.

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Players Mentioned

Melissa Strother: GK; 5' 10"; Freshman

#7 Kimber Carter: D; 5' 9"; Junior

#12 Melissa Scott: F; 5' 6"; Sophomore

#17 Melissa Myers: F/M; 5' 3"; Senior

#21 Kris Maldanado: M; 5' 7"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Melissa Strother
: 5' 10"; Freshman
: GK

#7 Kimber Carter
: 5' 9"; Junior
: D

#12 Melissa Scott
: 5' 6"; Sophomore
: F

#17 Melissa Myers
: 5' 3"; Senior
: F/M

#21 Kris Maldanado
: 5' 7"; Sophomore
: M