Box Score

GLENDORA, Calif.-- The Azusa Pacific women's water polo team closed out its regular season schedule with a 9-5 loss to No. 19 ranked San Diego State Wednesday night. The Aztecs (22-10, 6-0), who clinched the outright Golden Coast Conference regular season championship, outscored the Cougars 4-1 in the second half and converted four of their eight 6-on-5 opportunities, while Azusa Pacific saw its offense sputter after a hot start.

The Cougars (15-19, 1-5) took an early 3-1 lead behind a pair of Taylor Whitney goals, and led 4-2 at the first break. But the Aztecs rattled off three unanswered goals in the second quarter, grabbing their first lead of the match with a goal with just under two minutes left in the opening half.

In the second half SDSU added to its lead with a 5-meter goal before the Aztecs tallied their fifth consecutive score at the 5:37 mark to make it a 7-4 match. Alyssa Hess put an end to the San Diego State spree with her lone goal of the match to put Azusa Pacific to within  two.

The Aztecs, however, shutout the Cougars in the final frame while adding a pair of scores to clinch the 9-5 win and improve to 6-0 in their first season of GCC play. Maryann Slama and Megan Minekime each scored in the loss, and sophomore keeper Katie Margot finished with eight saves.

Azusa Pacific, which tied a program record with its 15th win last week, will have a chance to grab that elusive 16th win when it competes in the GCC championship tournament April 24. The Cougars finish the regular season in sixth place in the conference standings, with a likely rematch against Loyola Marymount in the opening round of the championships.