Tempe, AZ.-- No. 25 Azusa Pacific closed out day one of the Arizona State Cross Conference Challenge with a 1-1 record, as the Cougars fell in the first match to No. 10 Arizona State 12-6, before coming out victorious in the second match against Cal State East Bay in overtime, 8-7. 

#10 Arizona State 12, #25 Azusa Pacific 6
The Cougars raced out to an early 2-0 lead in the first quarter with two goals from senior Sarah Adams and junior Gabrielle Martinez before the Sun Devils rallied back in the second frame to shift the momentum. Azusa Pacific was able to maintain a 4-3 lead in the first half before Arizona State scored seven goals to put the game away, and the Cougars were unable to overcome the deficit in the second half. 

Six different Cougars scored in the match while Junior Olivia Lott played 26 minutes for Azusa Pacific in goal, notching six saves and one steal.  
 

	1	2	3	4	Final
Azusa Pacific	2	2	1	1	6
Arizona State	1	6	2	3	12

#25 Azusa Pacific 8, Cal State East Bay 7
Azusa Pacific bounced back in the second match of the day, as the Cougars knocked off Cal State East Bay in overtime, 8-7. The Cougars got off to a slow start, as the Pioneers took a 4-2 lead in the first quarter. It wasn't until two goals in the second frame from sophomore Lauren Hoyle and sophomore Milena Guzman Ortiz that gave the Cougars the momentum they needed before entering the half tied 4-4. 

Azusa Pacific continued to extend its lead in the third quarter, 6-4, when junior Hannah Bradley and Guzman Ortiz each collected their second goal of the match while holding the Pioneers scoreless. 

Senior Mireia Tutusaus Alcaraz registered her only goal of the game accounting for the Cougars lone goal in the fourth. The Pioneers came back scoring three times, tying the game and forcing the game into overtime.

It wasn't until .57 seconds left in OT/5 where Martinez scored the game-winning goal.

Overall, Azusa Pacific took 31 shots, while Cal State East Bay finished with 36 shots. While several Cougars showed strong play, Guzman Ortiz led Azusa Pacific with three goals while Bradley collected two goals. 

 

	1	2	3	4	OT	Final
Azusa Pacific	2	2	2	1	1	8
Cal State East Bay	4	0	0	3	0	7

What's Next:
The Cougars are now 2-4 overall. No. 25 Azusa Pacific has two more matches in the Arizona State Cross Conference Challenge tomorrow, Saturday, Feb. 1. The Cougars will look to open up the first match at 11:30 a.m. against Sonoma State before finishing up with a 3:15 p.m. matchup against Hawai'i.