Azusa Pacific defeated host Cal State Dominguez Hills by a 3-1 final on Thursday night, as it opened the 2019 campaign with an in-region road win.
 
The Cougars, who unveiled brand-new all-black uniforms in the season opener, had three different players find the back of the net as junior Maddy Morrison, junior Randi Macadangdang, and sophomore Ella Romero each tallied their first goal of the season.
 
Morrison, a junior college transfer who made her regular season debut with the Cougars, scored Azusa Pacific's first goal of the season in the 40^th minute of the match, as she broke free from the Dominguez Hills defense and was able to get her shot past the keeper. Following the late first-half goal, Azusa Pacific was able to take a 1-0 lead into halftime.
 
The Cougars looked to capitalize on the momentum they had following Morrison's goal, and Morrison herself would be heavily involved in the second half offensive attack. Within just four and a half minutes into the second half, the Cougars scored twice to take a commanding 3-0 lead, as Morrison assisted on both of the goals.
 
The first of two goals was scored by junior Randi Macadangdang, as she received a pass from Morrison and sped past two defenders on the left flank and beat the keeper to give the Cougars a 2-0 lead just 36 seconds into the half.  About four minutes later, Romero added the final insurance goal in the 50^th minute, as Morrison was credited with an assist following a cross down the right sideline that put Romero in scoring position.
 
The Toros' lone goal came in the 81^st minute, by way of a converted penalty kick from Sofia Litendahl.
 
Head coach Brooke Lincoln was pleased with the way her team came out and started the year, "It is great to come out and start the season the way we did, as it gives our girls a lot of belief and confidence… we went into halftime with the 1-0 lead, and to come out and score twice in the first five minutes of the second half was huge. I could not be more proud of the team and its performance tonight."
 
In addition to the offensive attack, Azusa Pacific's defense made things difficult for the Toros all night long, as Cal State Dominguez Hills had just three shots on goal and seven shots overall. "We did a great job of controlling possession and spreading out as a backline to prevent their forwards from having space and time to work with, when we are able to do that, we are very successful," senior defender Kelsey Bushman said.
 
Along with Coach Lincoln and Bushman, Morrison and Macadangdang also felt that the season opener was an important one for the team. Morrison talked about the opportunity that the game presented, as it was a chance to become more comfortable with her new teammates, "being a transfer is tough in that I do not have two years of familiarity with everyone, so I am still learning how my teammates play and how I can best play alongside them. Games like tonight allow me to gain comfort and confidence, and see how much fun it is to play with these girls."
 
For Macadangdang, the game served as a fresh start, "before the game, Coach Lincoln talked about how it is a new season and a chance for us to write a new chapter. We talked a lot about the kind of mindset that is needed to be successful, I think we showed tonight what can happen when we come together and are focused and believe that we are going to be successful."
 
Following its first win of 2019, Azusa Pacific will have a week to prepare for its next match, a home contest against Cal State San Marcos on Thursday, September 12 at 5:00 p.m., at the Cougar Soccer Complex.
 
*Box Score Will Be Attached Soon -- Missing Due to Technical Issues*