SANTA CLARITA, Calif. -- It wasn't easy, but the NAIA's No. 4-ranked Azusa Pacific survived wind, driving rain and several missed opportunities in regulation before senior midfielder Lauren Lane's golden goal with 6:30 left in the second overtime period lifted the Cougars to a 1-0 road win over No. 20-ranked The Master's Tuesday afternoon.

Lane, who had 8 assists in 73 career games but had never scored heading into Tuesday's matchup, fired off a shot from outside the penalty box that initially appeared headed over the crossbar. However, the stiff headwind that had disrupted the attack of both teams throughout the game helped knock the ball down from its original trajectory and into the net for the game-winner. The game was Azusa Pacific's first overtime contest this season.

"I thought we had 4 or 5 chances that we should have put away in regulation," Cougar head coach Jason Surrell said. "The wind was definitely a factor in the strategy for both teams. Ironically, (going into the wind) was the side we ended up scoring on."

Tuesday's victory extended Azusa Pacific's all-time record against The Master's to a perfect 20-0, but it was the third straight close call when the Cougars have visited Santa Clarita. Two years ago, Azusa Pacific needed a second-half rally to overcome a 2-1 halftime deficit and pull off a 4-2 win over the Mustangs, and the Cougars' 2005 trip was a 1-0 result in double-overtime, just like Tuesday's win.

In regulation, senior forward Theresa Broad went unmarked for an open header that missed the goal, and she had another chance to put away a cross from freshman Natalie Sun that was just off the mark. Junior Kelsey Walker also had a near-miss on a breakaway opportunity.

Freshman goalkeeper Michelle Wieland turned away the few Mustang opportunities that made it through the Cougars' central midfield and defense. The cleansheet was her fourth in 5 starts this season, and her 103 minutes and 30 seconds of scoreless soccer lowered her season goals against average to 0.19.

With the victory, Azusa Pacific improves to 10-2 overall and remains in sole possession of first place in the GSAC with a 6-0 conference mark and a 2-game lead heading into Saturday's 3:30 p.m. clash with second-place California Baptist at the Cougar Soccer Complex. The Master's is now 10-3-1 overall and 3-3 in GSAC play.

Official stats for the match were not immediately available.

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