AZUSA, CALIF - Azusa Pacific started off defending well in the Cornerstone Cup matchup and was able to collect a clean sheet against their rivals. "It's always great to get a win against that school across town!" said head coach Brooke Lincoln. "It's our 7th shutout of the year and our backline and Maddie (Williams) played well last night to keep the clean sheet." The lone goal came in the 54th minute from forward Bethany Tee, and it was enough for the Cougars to see victory. The Cougars hold the all-time record over Biola with 22 wins, five draws and five losses, and Lincoln remains undefeated against the Eagles.
How It Happened: The first half saw the Cougars hold possession 60% of the time while having nine shots to the Eagles three. Pressing and winning the ball back quickly gave the Cougars a couple good chances early on. The defense was solid in the back and Mackenzie Coleman stole the show and took it herself a couple times providing some dangerous balls in behind. Leading all shots in the first half was the winger Brooke Bern, totaling three shots with one on target. The Eagles played the first 45 on the back foot but good goalkeeping and center back play kept things level at the break.
After the break, the Cougars looked much neater in their passing. Carving through the defense it took just nine minutes for the home team to break the deadlock. It was a build up play across the pitch that ended up with the overlapping Sierra Nickleberry crossing the ball into the box and finding Tee. This is Tee's third goal in the last two games against Biola and her fifth goal of the season.
Maddie Williams shined in front of the net and a big save from Williams kept the Cougars in front in the second half. Williams was not tested a lot in front of the net but communication and distribution proved helpful to the backline. As for the rest of her backline, keeping the clean sheet was a highlight of the game and Gianna Ocello offered support when the Eagles tried to send attackers forward.
When the Cougars were looking for the dagger, it was a strike from midfielder Nora Oldmark in the 70th minute that shook the crossbar. With this, the Eagles were able to keep the deficit at one but a poor offensive showing led to the defeat.
By the Numbers: Azusa Pacific collected 23 shots with seven on goal compared to Biola's one on goal. The Cougars continued to pressure the entire game, using seven corner kicks to contribute to the attack. Katie Prado, Oldmark and Tee all collected two shots on goal with nine different players tabbing shots throughout the game. Defensively, Williams has 39 saves on the year with .813 SV% and Azusa Pacific's backline has held their opponents to 48 shots on goal compared to their 81 shots on goal that have them tied for first in the conference. The Cougars now improve to 6-3-3 overall and 3-1-1 in conference play (5th in PacWest standings). To see the women's soccer PacWest standings, click HERE.
Up Next: The Cougars will now face off against Chaminade (4-0-1) who holds second in the PacWest rankings on Saturday at the Cougar Soccer Complex. Kick off is set for 5:00 p.m. and this will be the second of four final home games for the season.
