IRVINE, Calif. – Stilling searching and still trying.

In their first PacWest road contest Azusa Pacific was looking for their initial win of the season but fell to Concordia 4-2 on a steamy afternoon.

Despite creating chances in both half's, a handful of defensive lapses proved critical in the deciding the outcome. Concordia held an 8-6 edge for shots on goal and had a 4-3 advantage in corner kick opportunities.

After each team got off quality opportunities in the early going, the contest ebbed and flowed quickly just past the first half's midway point. Concordia opened the scoring in the 25th minute when Jose Huerta found the back of the net. He converted on a pass from Isaac Gettis inside the box.

Post Game Interview with head coach Dave Blomquist

A moment later the Cougars (0-4-2, 0-2 PacWest) had an opportunity to tie the score. Concordia goal keeper Jordan Brinkley was called for a foul inside the box on a 50/50 ball with Arturo Astroga. The resulting penalty kick from Kaleb Armbrust was saved as Brinkley guessed correctly on the attempt.

The home team completed a furious six minutes of play when Ether Bustos cracked an 18-yard laser from the left side that found the upper right corner of the net in the 31st minute.

A persistent Cougars squad broke through in the 58th minute as Callum Wallace scored off a scramble in front of the net after Chris Brusenback played the ball into the box.

Unfortunately for Azusa Pacific the one-goal deficit was short lived. Huerta scored his second goal of the game in the 60th minute. He completed his hat trick with another net finder in the 65th minute as Concordia (2-2-2, 1-0) took a comfortable edge.

Azusa Pacific still pushed the play and was able to get a goal when Aiden Alcos scored his first collegiate goal in the 76th minute off a pass from Mathias Thomsen. Neither team was able to put an official shot on goal the rest of the game.

The Cougars will look to break into the win column when they travel to rival California Baptist on Tuesday afternoon.