Cougars Down No. 6 Westmont

AZUSA, CALIF. – Defending Golden State Athletic Conference champion Azusa Pacific validated its place as the NAIA's No. 2-ranked team by downing No. 6 Westmont, 2-0, in a crucial conference game in Azusa, Friday evening.

With the victory Azusa Pacific assumes control for this year's GSAC crown. Only Westmont and Azusa Pacific have ever won the conference title, and they have split the past 4 championships.

Senior All-American Chrissy Sanford (Thousand Oaks, Calif./Newburry Park HS) scored her sixth goal of the season in the 28^th minute, giving the Cougars a 1-0 lead.

"My muscles were tight, and I was actually surprised that I got such a good shot off," said Sanford, who came off the bench for the first time in her Azusa Pacific career. "It was a huge lift, and that was exactly what we needed to get us to play harder."

Westmont controlled play throughout the second half, tallying 5 corner kicks in the final 45 minutes while out-shooting the Cougars, 6-2.

"Whether we play good or bad, just to beat a good team like Westmont, we will take it any way we can get it," said Azusa Pacific head coach Jason Surrell. "Chrissy's goal was a huge lift and a big spark for us. Those are the types of things we expect from her."

Nonetheless, it was Azusa Pacific that added an insurance goal in the 70^th minute when sophomore Stephanie Lemburg (Frazier Park, Calif./Frazier Mountain HS) knocked in a loose ball from 10 yards out following a Stephanie Bay shot.

With the win, the Cougars improve to 7-1 overall, 4-0 in the GSAC. Westmont, which suffers only its third conference loss ever in the 9-year history of GSAC women's soccer, falls to 9-3, 3-1 GSAC

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Players Mentioned

#8 Stephanie Lemburg: F; 5' 2"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#8 Stephanie Lemburg
: 5' 2"; Sophomore
: F

Players Mentioned

#8 Stephanie Lemburg

Players Mentioned

#8 Stephanie Lemburg