Box Score AZUSA, Calif. - Digging out of an early season hole is never easy but the pieces are coming together for a resilient Cougars team.

Despite not claiming a win in their first four games, the Azusa Pacific women's soccer squad has continued to fight as evident of their second straight win on Saturday afternoon. The Cougars defeated regionally ranked Cal State L.A. 2-1 in their final non-conference game of 2014. 

"We had a rough start at 0-4 but this is great momentum for us. We haven't had to face that before but the team has continued to fight through the early adversity and a win today is a good step in continuing our momentum," head coach Jason Surrell said. "We knew come NCAA playoff time there would be an at-large selection possibility and beating a team that we could be in competition with for one of those berths is a big accomplishment."

The Golden Eagles (5-1) struck first when Candice Holt snuck a shot into the back of the net in the 21st minute. The play developed off on Joanna Espinoza pass up the middle to the senior.

Azusa Pacific was quick to respond. Mayra Alamazan scored less than one minute later off a free kick from the right side. The junior has now scored three goals this season. 

Neither team had a particularly good opportunity the rest of the half as the teams went into halftime knotted at 1-1.

As the minutes counted down in the second half the Golden Eagles held a 5-3 shot advantage before the Azusa Pacific (2-4) offense ended the deadlock. 

Alyx Williams blasted a shot with her left foot at the top of the box in the 79th minute to put the Cougars on top. Cassidy Burr assisted on the play.

Cal State L.A. nearly tied the game a few minutes later when Veronika Steen made a run down the left side of the field but her shot from 13 yards out was saved by Sarah Klinkenberg. That opportunity proved to be the final shot on goal in the game.

The visitors held an overall edge in shots (15-11) and corner kicks (3-0) but a stout Azusa Pacific back line was up to the challenge.

GAME NOTES

Cal State L.A. came into the game ranked fifth in the West Region … It is the fifth game this season the Cougars played against a regionally ranked opponent … Azusa Pacific begins PacWest play as the preseason favorite next Saturday against Point Loma