HONOLULU -  In a game of firsts, Azusa Pacific recorded its first victory of the season in the Pacific West Conference opener at Chaminade, giving head coach Brooke Lincoln her first win at the helm of the program behind freshman Ella Romero's first career brace.

From the opening whistle, Azusa Pacific had control. Kennedy Christie had two shots on goal before Romero opened the scoring for the Cougars in the fifth minute, cleaning up a loose ball in front of goal. The Cougars kept up the pressure, and the second goal followed soon after the first. Kellie Yoshihara found Romero, who calmly picked out the top left corner of the goal in the ninth minute.

The Azusa Pacific defense did not allow a shot from the Silverswords in the first half, and the Cougars shut out a Chaminade offense which scored nine goals in its previous three games. Although the Silverswords came out firing in the second half, Azusa Pacific held off the attack, allowing just one shot on goal in the final 45 minutes.

Along with Romero, the Cougars' offense was led by Randi Macadangdang with three shots, while Briana Haskins had two shots on goal, and Yoshihara had a shot to go along with her assist.

With the win, the Cougars move to 1-4 overall on the season and 1-0 in PacWest play. Azusa Pacific stays on the island of O'ahu to face Hawai'i Pacific on Saturday, Sept. 22, before finishing the PacWest-opening road trip at Hawai'i Hilo on Sept. 25.