AZUSA, CALIF - The Azusa Pacific women's soccer team honored eight seniors that have been an integral part of the program's success in the past four years before the game on Saturday night. Evelina Von Euler, Kayla Grisham, Brooke Bern, Ruby Fernandez, Noanne Rosse, Mackenzie Coleman, Sydney Smith and Alyssa Holt are the eight seniors that have left their mark on the program and played their final game at the Cougar Soccer Complex tonight. To face the Cougars on this special day was the Hawai'i Hilo Vulcans, and even though Azusa Pacific leads the all time series record over Hilo 4-1, the 10th ranked team in NCAA DII (Vulcans) came into this season's matchup on a roll. Hawai'i Hilo ended up claiming the game and the conference title on Saturday night 1-3.

How It Happened: In the first half both teams wasted no time getting things going. Two goals were scored in the first ten minutes, the first coming from the Vulcans in the 8th minute. The Cougars settled in and quickly got things going back on the other side. After a wonderful cross from left-back Sierra Nickelberry, the Cougars Winger Aubrey Dunaway claimed the equalizer in the 9th. The freshman-to-freshman connection was a bright spot in the first half. 

It was a contest that was sure to have goals in it and the first half continued with the action. The Cougars were able to outshoot the Vulcans in the first half 9-7, but Hawai'i Hilo was able to snag two more goals in the 19th and 26th minute. Azusa Pacific did not bow out of the contest easily. Forcing Hawai'i Hilo's goalkeeper into four saves, the Cougars were oh-so close to cutting the deficit in half. A big time hit from midfielder Nora Oldmark in the 42nd minute was the closest moment for the home team, but the score was 1-3 in favor of the Vulcans heading into the break.

After halftime the Cougars gave their all to try and get a goal back. Efforts from Katie Prado and Dunaway came close but the defense for Hawai'i Hilo stayed strong. The Cougars were unable to get any goals back in the second half and the contest ended 1-3. 

By The Numbers: Maddie Williams had three saves in goal which moves her total to 43 on the season. Dunaway led the Cougars in shots with four and collected the second goal of her collegiate career.. The Cougars and Vulcans were even in shots, both taking 16, with seven on target for the Cougars and six for Hawai'i Hilo. There was also one yellow card in the game with a total of 14 fouls. The loss moves Azusa Pacific's record to 7-4-4 and 4-2-2 in PacWest play. 

Up Next: Azusa Pacific's final two regular season games will be away at Holy Names on Thursday, November 3rd and at Fresno Pacific on Saturday, November 5th.