AZUSA, Calif. – The winning formula looks familiar for the Azusa Pacific women's soccer squad. Be opportunistic on offense and play stout defense.

Those two qualities were on display Thursday as the Cougars recorded a 1-0 victory against UC San Diego.

Azusa Pacific recorded a 23-7 shot advantage; including a 12-2 edge in shots on frame. It's the third shutout for the Cougars in three opportunities to start the season.

"Anytime you create that many chances you feel good about it. This week we went over the game plan and the girls responded to it really well," said Azusa Pacific head coach Jason Surrell. "The key to our early success is we have had everyone healthy and the players are practicing and playing together. We have a lot of depth and that has helped us at this point."

Among the chances for the Cougars in the opening half, with 17 minutes left Victoria Kovach had a great opportunity but she couldn't quite control a bouncing ball in the box after the goal keeper misplayed the ball.

The deadlock was broken in the 40th minute when Cassidy Burr scored her first goal in a Cougar uniform. The senior, who is used mostly on the defensive side of the ball, got the ball about 20 yards from the goal and hit a shot from the right side that ricocheted off the left bar and into the back of the net.

"When I came in the game I knew something had to change and I saw the opening and I went for it. No one was coming at me and I was going to shoot," said Burr. "As a senior it is something I worked for. I've never been an attacking player and to get a goal in a big game it is every collegiate players dream. Especially to do it for my teammates."

Kovach had another solid opportunity in the opening minutes of the second half but her shot from inside the box went right into the goal keeper's arms. With 20 minutes left in regulation Burr nearly had her second goal but after receiving a great centering pass in the box, the senior's half volleyed the ball over the cross bar.

The Tritons had their first official shot on goal in the 80th minute when Summer Bales put a free kick from 25 yards out on goal but Cougar goal keeper Sarah Klinkenberg made the save. In the 88th minute Mary Reilly put a good boot on goal from 20 yards outs but Klinkenberg was in the right spot to keep the Tritons off the scoreboard. It was the last opportunity the Tritons had.

Dating back to last season, the Cougars defense has been arguably the best in the nation. They have given up just one goal in their last 13 games which is the best 13-game stretch in school history. Klinkenberg made two saves to earn the shutout.

Azusa Pacific will look to extend their winning ways to start the season against nationally ranked Cal State L.A. on Saturday evening.