GLENDORA, Calif. – The Cougars used a stalwart defensive effort to earn their second consecutive victory at home, defeating Fresno Pacific by a final of 9-4 Friday afternoon at Glendora High School.

How It Happened: For the third consecutive home game this season, the Cougars jumped out to an early lead. Hannah Bradley struck for a pair of goals from the point in the first quarter, staking the home team out to an early 2-0 lead. But the Sunbirds would answer, leveling the score at 2-2 heading into the second. The second quarter was a defensive struggle, with neither team scoring over the first five minutes of the period. Eventually, Maritza Ochoa broke the deadlock with her third goal of the season to put the Cougars ahead for good.

Turning Point: While it wasn't the game-winner, the decisive moment of the game occurred right on the stroke of halftime. After a whistle for a common foul, the ball was at midfield with two seconds left on the clock. Brianna Erickson threw a desperation shot from the middle of the pool that banked in off the far post, putting the Cougars ahead 4-2 at intermission. The Cougars would continue the run, scoring the first five goals of the second half to run their advantage to 9-2 before the Sunbirds threw in a pair of
tallies in the final minute to cut the margin. 

Inside the Numbers: Gabrielle Martinez recorded a hat trick in the second half, giving her eight goals on the season, second on the team behind Milena Guzmán Ortiz, who did not play in this contest. The Cougars kept Fresno Pacific scoreless for over 25 minutes between their second and third goals of the afternoon. The Cougars held the Sunbirds to two goals on eight power play opportunities. Goalkeeper Olivia Lott made seven saves over the first three quarters before turning things over to Hannah Murray; and the Cougars defense came up with 16 steals, led by Bradley with four. María Boix Pascual saw her first action of the season, and the freshman had a pair of assists in the second half. The Cougars have now won 14 consecutive games against Fresno Pacific dating back to January of 2013.

Up Next: Azusa Pacific (3-2) return to Golden Coast Conference play on Wednesday when they wrap up their three-game home stand against San Diego State. The opening sprint at Glendora High School will take place at 1:00 p.m.