THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – The Cougars finished up their four-game slate at the Tina Finali Invitational with two victories.
After 15 games Azusa Pacific is 7-8 overall with their next contest in 11 days when they travel to Bakersfield for games against Cal State Bakersfield and Wagner.
Game One – Azusa Pacific 13, La Verne 3 Scoresheet
Once the Leopards scored the first goal, Azusa Pacific didn't show any mercy. La Verne scored 91 seconds into the game but that was the only time they held a lead. Britt Harris scored twice while Courtney Folsom and Alba Espinar each found the back of the cage and just like that the Cougars held a 4-1 edge after eight minutes.
Taylor Whitney began her scoring onslaught on the game with two goals in the second period as Azusa Pacific increased their lead to 6-1 at the contest's halfway point. The Cougars showed no mercy as the won the third period by a 4-2 tally as Espinar, Folsom, Whitney and Ashley Taylor scored.
Leading 10-3, Azusa Pacific scored the only four goals of the final frame to complete the dominating performance. Whitney rounded out her five-goal day with two net finders in the final period while Taylor completed her hat trick with two goals of her own.
Game Two – Azusa Pacific 8, Cal State East Bay 7 Scoresheet
For the first time in five tries the Cougars knocked off the Pioneers in a nip-and-tuck contest.
After splitting the game's first four goals, the Cougars went in front 4-2. Cal State East Bay scored the final goal of the half and after 16 minutes Azusa Pacific held a one-goal lead.
Cal State East Bay scored the only three goals of the third period as they took a 6-4 edge heading into the final eight minutes of the contest.
Azusa Pacific came out of the firing in the final stanza as they scored three unanswered goals to take a 7-6 lead with two minutes left. The Pioneers scored with 1:45 left to tie the score at 7-7. However the Cougars where able to break the tension with with an Ashley Taylor goal in the game's final moments to grab the historic win.
Taylor had one of her best games of the season with a four-goal afternoon. Taylor Whitney scored twice while Megan Myers and Courtney Folsom rounded out the goal scorers for the Cougars.
Alba Espinar played a critical role in the victory by dishing out three assists. Defensively Katie Margot blocked 10 shots to help secure the win.
