AZUSA, Calif. – After a brutal stretch to start PacWest play, the Cougars can rest for a little bit with a smile.

Azusa Pacific finished a four-game in eight-day stretch with a 2-0 victory against Dominican on Thursday evening.

The victory, the squad's second straight, moves the Cougars to 2-4-2 overall and 2-2 in league games. Azusa Pacific will take the next week off before hosting Notre Dame de Namur in the second match in a five-match homestand. Dominican goes to 1-7 and 1-2 respectively.

Post Game Interview with head coach Dave Blomquist

The Cougars got off to a fine start as the moved the ball with purpose. They were rewarded in the 13th minute when Arturo Astorga scored his first collegiate goal. The freshman took a feed through the middle from Callum Wallace before blasting a shot from 18 yards out.

Azusa Pacific continued to press forward and while they couldn't find another goal in the opening half their dominance showed on the score sheet. The home team outshot the Penguins 12-1 in the opening 45 minutes while hold a 3-1 edge in corner kicks.

Dominican upped their game in the second half as the contest got a bit more physical. Dominican nearly tied it in the 70th when Austen McGregor had a good boot inside the box but Cougar goal keeper Jorge Pesquera made the save.

The game's result was all but decided when Rene Santos scored his first goal of his collegiate career in the 87th minute. Santos controlled a misplayed ball by the Penguins back line at the top of the box.

The home team dominated all the statistics as they held a 22-5 edge in total shots as well as 8-1 advantage in shots on frame.

Pesquera recorded his second shutout of the season in his third start.