The Azusa Pacific Cougars opened the 2019 season with two matches in Santa Barbara on Friday, for the UC Santa Barbara Winter Invitational. The Cougars squared off with a pair of the nation's top teams, falling to #18 Cal State Northridge, followed by a loss to #1 USC.
 
#18 Cal State Northridge 15, Azusa Pacific 14
 
In the first match of the season, the Cougars battled throughout with nationally-ranked, #18 Cal State Northridge, eventually falling by a final of 15-14. Azusa Pacific held the lead for the majority of the contest, as it did not trail until a go-ahead goal was scored by Cal State Northridge's Lindsey Garcia, who gave the Matadors a 13-12 lead with 5:05 left in regulation.
 
In the first period, four different Cougars scored a goal to help grab an early 5-4 lead through the first eight minutes of play. Freshman Milena Guzman scored two goals in the period, while sophomore Britni Tisdale, junior Mireia Tutusaus Alcaraz and senior Annalise Batcheller each added one goal.
 
Going into halftime, Azusa Pacific still held just a one-goal advantage at 9-8, as the two teams played an even 4-4 second period. Junior Sarah Adams scored two goals in the period, and freshmen Lauren Hoyle and Milena Guzman scored a goal apiece.
 
Heading into the final period, the two teams were locked in a 12-12 tie, as the Matadors posted a 4-3 advantage in the third period. For the third straight period, Guzman scored a goal for the Cougars, as Tutusaus Alcaraz scored her second goal of the game and sophomore Gabrielle Martinez found the back of the net for her first goal of the 2019 season.
 
Cal State Northridge looked to pull away from the Cougars in the fourth period, as the Matadors scored three straight goals to take a 15-12 lead. An Azusa Pacific comeback attempt would fall just short, as senior Mar Pastor Alvarez scored two goals in the final two minutes of play, yet the clock ran out and Cal State Northridge posted the 15-14 victory.
 
The Cougars were led in scoring by Guzman, who finished with four goals in her first collegiate match. Adams, Tutusaus Alcaraz and Pastor Alvarez finished with two goals each, and Hoyle, Martinez and Batcheller each scored one goal.
 
#1 USC 19, Azusa Pacific 4
 
In the second game of the day, the Cougars were able to measure themselves up against the defending NCAA national champions, the University of Southern California. Azusa Pacific fell behind early, as the Trojans went on the attack from the outset, scoring nine goals in the first period.
 
Though the Cougars were unable to break through offensively, they were able to slow the Trojans down in the second period, allowing just two goals in the final eight minutes before halftime. Both of USC's goals came in the final minute before the break.
 
In the third period, Martinez put the Cougars on the board, as she scored less than a minute into the second-half action. USC responded, scoring three consecutive goals in the period to take a 15-1 lead into the final eight minutes.
 
Martinez kicked off the action in the fourth period, as she scored her second goal of the game with 7:09 left in regulation. About a minute later, Azusa Pacific found the back of the net again, with senior Arianne Yeo scoring her first goal of 2019, bringing the score to a 15-3 Trojan advantage. Following three-straight USC goals, Hoyle scored with 2:38 left in the game, making the score 18-4. USC would add one more goal with just over 40 seconds left in the fourth period.
 
Up Next
 
The Cougars will be right back in action tomorrow, as they will close out the UC Santa Barbara Winter Invitational with two matches. Both of the opponents that Azusa Pacific will face on Saturday are currently ranked nationally, as the Cougars will play #14 Wagner at 12:15 p.m., and #15 UC San Diego at 4:30 p.m.