AZUSA, CALIF. -- Azusa Pacific unleashed 3-games' worth of frustration on NCAA Division II power Sonoma State, dumping the Cossacks, 4-1, on the opening day of the Warrior Classic at Westmont College.
The Cougars scored 4 unanswered goals and out-shot Sonoma State, 23-13, to collect their first win in 4 games this season and beat the No. 18-ranked Cossacks in the first meetin ever between the 2 small college national powers.
After letting Sonoma sneak on the board with a goal in the 7th minute, Azusa Pacific evened the game at 1 goal apiece when freshman Cassie Lemberg, who had just entered the game, corralled a loose ball and chipped it past keeper Kara Stout in the 44th minute
Former NAIA Player of the Year Kendra Payne then took over the game, scoring 3 second-half goals in a matter of 14 minutes to bury Sonoma State. Her first goal came on a pass from Rachel Lawler. Payne's first attempt was blocked, but her second effort slid under Stout.
Payne added goals in the 67th and 73rd minutes, both on assists from Chrissy Sanford.
The 6 points give Payne 170 for her career, ninth on the NAIA's all-time scoring list.
Azusa Pacific is 1-2-1 on the season while Sonoma State falls to 2-1 and suffers just its third loss in its past 24 games.
In the Classic's other game, No. 1-ranked Westmont downed Concordia (Ore.), 6-1.
