WHITTIER, Calif. – The Cougars water polo squad traveled down the 605 for a two-game set at Whittier College.
Azusa Pacific competed against two traditional NCAA Division III schools as they faced Occidental in the morning before tangling with Redlands later in the day.
Game One– Azusa Pacific 16, Occidental 4 Scoresheet
The Cougars broke open a tight game with a big scoring outburst in the final 16 minutes as they pulled away from Occidental.
The early going was tight as each team scored once in the opening period before Azusa Pacific began their offensive exploits. Alex Paxton started the second quarter scoring less than a minute into the frame and Azusa Pacific never trailed the rest of the contest. Moments later Paxton added her second goal of the period as the Cougars increased their lead to 3-1. Maryann Slama scored the Cougars final net finder in the period as her team went in front 4-1. Occidental found the back of the cage late in the period as Azusa Pacific took a 4-2 lead at intermission.
Taylor Whitney and Slama started the scoring in the third quarter. The Tigers recorded a goal just before the period's halfway mark but it did little to stem the Cougars momentum. Azusa Pacific scored the final two goals of the frame as Morgan Hage and Whitney handed their team an 8-3 lead heading into the final eight minutes.
That final period totally belonged to the Cougars as they scored eight of the quarter's nine goals as they pulled away for the win.
A foursome of Cougars posted hat tricks led by Whitney's five-goal contest. Alba Espinar, Slama and Paxton each tallied three goals.
Courtey Folsom contributed five assists as Azusa Pacific posted their biggest margin of victory on the young season.
Game Two – Azusa Pacific 16, Redlands 6 Scoresheet
The Cougars scored on their first three possessions and never looked back.
Azusa Pacific dominated the first period as they outscored the Bulldogs 8-1. Alba Espinar had a hat trick in the stanza while Ashley Taylor scored twice in the initial quarter.
The second period was played at a slower offensive pace but the Cougars still dominated. Azusa Pacific scored three times and allow just two as they held an 11-3 edge at the halfway point.
With the last 16 minutes seemingly a formality, the teams split a goal each in the third period before the Cougars went onto post a 4-2 scoring edge in the final frame.
Nine different players scored for Azusa Pacific in the dominating victory. In addition to Espinar's three-goal effort, Taylor Whitney recorded her sixth hat trick of the season.
In goal the duo of Katie Margot and Erica Marquez split time in goal in aiding the strong all around defensive effort.
