The NAIA’s No. 5-ranked Azusa Pacific opened the 2006 season in the same manner in which it held its first 21 opponents of 2005 to a goal or less, using a suffocating defense and a persistent attack to post a 1-0 victory over Bellevue (Neb.) at the Point Loma Nazarene soccer tournament Friday afternoon.

Sophomore forward Sarah Yoro earned a penalty kick in the third minute after a foul in the box, but Bellevue goalkeeper Jessica Baker guessed right and blocked Yoro’s low drive. The rebound stayed within arm’s reach, and Baker was able to smother Yoro’s putback attempt in front of the goal.

Sophomore Karen Lawrence drove a 14th-minute corner kick near post to set up a point-blank opportunity for senior Jolie Nitta, which was blocked again by Baker. Freshman Teresa Broad knocked the rebound in to record her first collegiate goal and give the Cougars an early 1-0 lead.

The relentless attack continued through the rest of the game, as Azusa Pacific finished with 23 shots to Bellevue’s 3. The Cougars’ best opportunity to pad its lead came in the 52nd minute, when Yoro found an opening at the top of the penalty area, only to see her left-footed strike hit the crossbar and rebound back in front of the goal mouth, where the Bellevue defense was able to clear it from danger.

Junior goalkeeper Jill Colfer needed to make just 1 save en route to her 22nd career shutout after leading a defense that held 14 opponents scoreless in 2005.

The Cougars, who collected a season-opening victory for the third consecutive season, return to action with a 4:45 pm contest with Hastings (Neb.) Saturday afternoon on the campus of Point Loma Nazarene in San Diego. Point Loma Nazarene defeated Hastings 5-1 in the early contest Friday afternoon.