ST. GEORGE, Utah – The 18th ranked Azusa Pacific women's soccer team kept things rolling as they posted a 4-1 victory over Dixie State to start Pacific West Conference play.

The Cougars converted their chances as they put five shots on frame while they were, once again, solid on the back end as they stopped all but one of the six Dixie State shots on goal.

"I thought once we broke through during that 20-25 minute stretch in the second half it broke the game wide open. I was really pleased with how Sarah played as well. She made some good saves earlier that kept things close," said head coach Jason Surrell. "I was really pleased with how our reserves played. It was hot and especially when you play on turf the more players you can put out there who can perform is a big contributing factor to a win."

In the early moments the Red Storm (2-3, 0-1 PacWest) nearly broke through but a Jasmine Arollo shot was tipped by Azusa Pacific goal keeper Sarah Klinkenberg off the crossbar and out of danger. The next four of five shots in the game came off the foot of an Azusa Pacific player but none of them could find the back of the net.

Arollo had another shot in the 31st minute after a corner kick. Yet again, Klinkenberg was up to the challenge as she made the save.

The deadlock was broken a moment later when Katelyn Rogers scored her fourth goal of the season on a free kick from 20 yards out that went off the cross bar and into the netting. It was the Cougars (5-0, 1-0) lone shot on goal in the opening frame.

In the 49th minute Arollo was finally able to break through as her shot from the right side wasn't able to be controlled by Klinkenberg as Dixie State tied the contest. The goal ended a scoreless streak of 727 consecutive minutes without allowing a goal for the Azusa Pacific defense.

Despite the momentary setback the Cougars regained the lead less than 10 minutes later. Victoria Kovach sent a shot that clipped off the post which caromed right to Allyn Brown who deposited the ball into the goal. It was the junior's third collegiate goal and first since her freshman campaign.

Cassidy Burr scored her second career goal in the 69th minute to give the Cougars some breathing room. The senior's goal made the score 3-1 after she took a feed from Haley Arft. The game's final goal came from the foot of newcomer Stephanie Lossau. In the 85th minute she scored her first collegiate goal when she controlled a ball from Haley Fisher and found the back of the net with a shot from the left side.

Azusa Pacific's offense was well rounded as eight different players took a shot led by Lossau's team high three.

Klinkenberg tied a season high with five saves in front of the cage.

The Cougars travel to Point Loma for their next contest. They will take on the defending PacWest champions on Thursday, Oct. 1 in San Diego.