AZUSA, Calif. – Once the Cougars got their first goal, the offensive flood gates opened.
Two different players tallied a brace as Azusa Pacific recorded a 5-1 win in their penultimate home game on Thursday evening against Academy of Art.
The win lifts the Cougars record to 7-5-2 overall and 6-2-2 in league PacWest games.
HOW IT HAPPENED: Academy of Art scored the game's initial goal when Abi Chavez converted a penalty kick in the 23rd minute.
A persistent Cougar effort along the upper third paid off in the 42nd minute. On Azusa Pacific's 11th shot of the first half, Kennedy Christie tickled the twine. The sophomore volleyed a cross from Emilie Allum for her third goal of the year to tie the game at 1-1.
In the 54th minute, Azusa Pacific took the lead for good. Rachel Curley and Katelyn Rogers played a nice game of give-and-go that resulted in a Rogers left-footed shot from 18 yards that beat Academy of Art goalkeeper Morgan Wirz.
Rogers gave the home team a comfortable two-goal edge with just under 20 minutes left. The senior hit another left footed curling shot that Wirz had no chance of getting from 20 yards out.
Azusa Pacific added two more goals for good measure in the final 15 minutes as Christie headed the ball past Wirz after Curley's first shot hit the cross bar and landed right in front of Christie. The last goal came from Kellie Yoshihara in the 76th minute with a blast from 20 yards out.
QUOTABLE: "We played really well tonight. The goal at the end of the first half really provided a lot of momentum and was a big boost for us heading into the final 45 minutes," said Christie. "I really feel like when we have the momentum in our favor our best opportunities get created."
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
- Azusa Pacific held a 20-5 edge in total shots (8-4 SOG)
- Tatum French made her collegiate debut as she played the last 12-plus minutes in goal
- Rogers now has a team high seven goals
AGAINST ACADEMY OF ART: The Cougars are now 5-0-1 all-time against the Urban Knights as they increased their goal advantage in the series to 10-2.
UP NEXT: Azusa Pacific hosts Holy Names at Noon on Saturday. Prior to the game the squad will honor its seniors.
