AZUSA, Calif.--For its first home game in exactly a month Azusa Pacific took the field against Hope International Wednesday and defeated the Royals by a final score of 1-0 in a Golden State Athletic Conference game.

The Cougars scored the lone goal of the match in the sixty-seventh minute on a header from freshmen forward Natalie Sun from 3 yards out. Sun's previous shot hit the crossbar and careened to the ground in front of her. The ball then took a high bounce which she quickly headed past Hope International keeper Candy Bergst for Sun's third goal of the season.

"I thought it was going to go over and I got nervous," Sun said about her initial shot at goal. "It bounced back and I just headed it in."

Sun's goal proved to be the difference maker as the Cougar defense allowed no shots on goal and only 2 shots total, all of which came during the first half of play. Azusa Pacific recorded it fourth shutout in the past 6 games and has allowed an average of 0.5 goals a game for the season.

"Coming into this season we knew that defense was going to be our strong point and it has been," said Azusa Pacific head coach Jason Surrell.

The NAIA's No. 4-ranked Cougars were on the attack all game and out-shot the Royals 23-2, with 7 shots on goal.

With the victory Azusa Pacific improves to 6-2 overall, 2-0 in GSAC. Hope International falls to 6-3-1 overall, 0-2 in GSAC.

The Cougars look to convert their shot opportunities into more goals in their next match in San Diego on Oct. 3 against Point Loma Nazarene at 3:30 p.m.