FRESNO, Calif. – Despite efforts to overcome a two-goal deficit twice, Azusa Pacific fell short as Fresno Pacific picked-up a 3-2 win on Saturday evening.
With three games left in the season the Cougars record now stands at 6-5-2 overall and 6-2-2 in league games. Fresno Pacific is 7-6-1 and 7-2-0 respectively.
HOW IT HAPPENED: The Sunbirds grabbed the momentum early and, despite a quality second half from Azusa Pacific, was able to ride that to a victory.
In the 12th minute Rachel Anderson scored after an initial shot from Whitney Snow was deflected. Alyssa Kincade also was credited with an assist. Before the Cougars could get a shot on frame, Fresno Pacific was able to take a two-goal lead. In the 38th minute Mackenzie Reynolds fired a shot into the lower right side for her third goal of the year. Snow got her second assist evening on the play.
Down by two goal to start the second half, the Cougars wasted little time getting back into the contest. Emilie Allum scored her third goal of the season. Stephanie Lossau assisted on the play after giving her a great ball in the middle of the box which Allum was able to deposit in the back of the net.
Despite numerous quality chances to the tie the game, including a hit cross bar on a Katelyn Rogers shot, the Cougars couldn't find the equalizer. Snow gave the home team a seemingly comfortable 3-1 lead with a goal off a corner kick in the 74th minute. Despite another two-goal deficit, the Cougars got a goal from Rogers off a Haley Bostard assists just seven minutes later to keep things interesting.
Azusa Pacific was able to get off four more shots but none of them were on frame.
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
- Fresno Pacific took 25 total shots (18 in the first half) which is the most allowed by a Cougars team this season
- The Cougars notched a 15-shot effort with 11 of them coming in the second stanza
- Fresno Pacific held an 8-3 edge in corner kicks
AGAINST FRESNO PACIFIC: The loss is the first for the Cougars against their counterparts from the Central Valley. Azusa Pacific had won the first 17 contests in the series.
UP NEXT: The Cougars host Academy of Art on Thursday at 5 p.m.
