The Azusa Pacific Cougars posted two wins on Friday at the Claremont Convergence Tournament. The Cougars opened with a 7-4 victory over the Virginia Military Institute, and then took down Pomona-Pitzer by a 12-10 final in the second game of the day. With the two wins, Azusa Pacific is now in the midst of a five-match winning streak.
 
Azusa Pacific 7, Virginia Military Institute 4
 
Behind a balanced offensive attack and strong defense, the Cougars were able to open the day with a victory. In the opening period, both teams traded goals back and forth, as VMI took an early 1-0 lead with less than two minutes off of the clock. Azusa Pacific posted its first score of the game about two minutes later, when senior Annalise Batcheller found the back of the net to tie the game at 1-1. With 1:38 left in the opening period, the Cougars took their first lead of the game when freshman Milena Guzmán Ortiz scored. VMI responded quickly, scoring just 18 seconds later to tie things back up at 2-2. Azusa Pacific took the lead for good with three seconds left in the first period, when sophomore Hannah Bradley scored on a power play for the Cougars to up 3-2.
 
In the second period, Azusa Pacific extended its lead with two goals, while keeping VMI off of the scoreboard. Over the third and fourth period, each team scored two goals while also surrendering two goals.
 
Sophomore goalkeeper Olivia Lott was awarded with the win, as she played all 32 minutes for the Cougars, tallying nine saves.
 
In the match, Azusa Pacific took 29 shots, while VMI finished with 22. The Cougars drew seven exclusions, going 2-for-5 in power play opportunities, and 0-for-2 in five meter penalties. VMI was able to draw 11 exclusions, however, they finished just 1-for-9 on power plays.
 
Azusa Pacific 12, Pomona-Pitzer 10
 
In the second match of the day, the Cougars found themselves in a back and forth battle with the #1 team NCAA Division III, Pomona-Pitzer. Though Azusa Pacific never faced a deficit larger than two goals, the Cougars did not take the lead until the 1:06 mark in the third period.
 
Both teams used a steady offensive attack, as Azusa Pacific scored three goals in each of the four periods. For Pomona-Pitzer, the Penguins scored three goals in the first, second, and fourth period, however, they scored just one goal in the third period.
 
Junior Sarah Adams led the way for the Cougars, as she scored four goals on four shots. Batcheller had another good match on the day, as she scored three goals, while also an assists and two steals. Senior Arianne Yeo scored two goals, and had three assists. Guzmán Ortiz, Bradley, and senior Carinna Prince each scored a goal as well for the Cougars.
 
Lott played the full match in goal for the Cougars as well in game number two, as she claimed her second win of the day and notched eight saves. Both teams drew nine exclusions, however, Azusa Pacific scored on four of its chances, while the Penguins were just 2-for-9.
 
Up Next: Azusa Pacific, now 10-8 overall, will continue play at the Claremont Convergence on Saturday, March 2. The Cougars will play #10 UC Santa Barbara at 11:30 a.m., followed by Claremont-Mudd-Scripps at 5:45 p.m.