FRESNO, Calif. -- #23 Azusa Pacific fell to #18 Fresno State by a final score of 8-6 on Friday evening, in the first round of the Golden Coast Conference tournament. Both teams traded momentum back and forth throughout the contest, with Fresno State seizing control in the fourth and final period.
 
In the first period, both teams were rather quiet offensively, as the lone goal came on a powerplay for Fresno Pacific with 5:56 remaining in the period. Both teams came to life offensively in the second period, as Fresno State added four more goals, while the Cougars found the back of the net three times to make the score 5-3 heading into halftime.
 
Azusa Pacific grabbed some momentum in the period, as the Cougars opened the second half with three unanswered goals to take a 6-5 lead with 3:55 left in the period. Fresno Pacific would halt the run just 30 seconds later, as the Bulldogs scored on a powerplay with 3:29 left in the third, to tie the game at 6-6.
 
In the fourth period, the Cougars were held scoreless, while the Bulldogs scored twice to break the 6-6 tie. Both Bulldog goals came by way of powerplays, as Fresno State scored with 7:20 left in regulations, and then again with 4:17 left.
 
Senior Mar Pastor Alvarez led the Cougars in the game, as she scored four goals for Azusa Pacific, while junior Sarah Adams added two goals. Senior Annalise Batcheller had a team-high two assists in the game, while freshman Milena Guzmán Ortiz tallied two steals. Sophomore Olivia Lott was in goal for the Cougars, and she finished with 13 saves and one steal. Lott's 13 save performance is the eighth time she has recorded 10 or more steals in a contest.
 
Up Next: The fifth-seed Cougars will now play the eight-seeded Concordia on Saturday at 12:45 p.m.  For an updated bracket of the GCC Tournament, and all other tournament information, please visit the following link:
 
http://www.gccwaterpolo.com/2019-gcc-womens-championships