Azusa Pacific continued its success with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Concordia on Saturday, as the Cougars now sit at 4-0 in PacWest play and 11-0 overall.

"That was a tough match," said center back Orlando Lozano. "We knew Concordia was going to come for us from the beginning, and it was a big game for both teams. We didn't play our best game so far, but we did what we needed to do, got the goal and came away with the win."

The Cougars started the match on the front foot, gaining possession early and often, not allowing many offensive opportunities for Concordia. Azusa Pacific had nine shots with three on goal to Concordia's four shots with one on goal. Although the first half ended 0-0, neither the Azusa Pacific coaching staff nor the players were worried, noting that they have the quality to score at any time.

"I don't think we need to change anything," said head coach Dave Blomquist, "We just need to finish the chances we do create. It felt like we created a lot of really good chances, and it was frustrating not to score more of them. But scoring goals is a difficult thing to do, but if we keep moving the ball and creating chances, those goals will come."

The second half brought some excitement in the 56^th minute when Arturo Astorga beat the keeper with a low, driven shot through traffic from the top of the 18-yard-box.
"In the first half, my teammates were telling me to create shots for myself," said Astorga. "When I got the ball at my feet in the second half, that's what I was thinking about. So I hesitated for a second, then let the shot go and got the goal." The goal was Astorga's sixth of the season. 

On the other side of the ball, Azusa Pacific continued their run of clean sheets, now totaling five straight games following their 2-1 double-overtime win at Seattle Pacific. The Cougars allowed just six shots and one on goal through the course of 90 minutes and held 71 percent of the total possession.

"That's all about chemistry," said Lozano. "We have been together and working really hard throughout the season, it honestly feels like a family. One goal doesn't mean anything. We have seen big teams all around the world go up three goals and still lose, so we have to stay focused and keep doing what we have been doing to not only stay where we are, but improve and get the win."

The Cougars continue their run of home games on Saturday, October 26 against Hawaii Pacific and again on Monday, October 28 against Hawaii Hilo.

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