FRESNO, CALIF - It was another successful day on the pitch for Azusa Pacific as they claimed a 4-0 shutout victory against a strong Fresno Pacific side on the road to close out their season. The Cougars attack was highlighted by Brooke Bern, Kayla Grisham, Nora Oldmark and Sydney Smith with three assists by way of Rilee Bradbury and one a piece from Ruby Fernandez and Katie O'Brien. "Today was awesome. Quality play and a great way to see it end." said head coach Brooke Lincoln. 

How it Happened - In the early minutes of the match, Grisham found an opportunity with an open Sunbirds defense just outside the box, putting away a left-footed shot that found the top half of the net to collect her second goal of the season and to give Azusa Pacific a 1-0 lead. For much of the half, the Cougars and Sunbirds were fighting off each other's attacks with six shots for Azusa Pacific and three for Fresno before the visiting Cougar's lead was doubled. In the 43rd, Nora Oldmark sent in a strong shot towards the right post from outside the box that went through the hands of Fresno Pacific's goalkeeper to double the advantage at 2-0 heading into the second half. 

It was Bern just minutes into the final 45 set up by O'Brien and Bradbury that put away her first collegiate goal in her final game playing in a Cougar uniform to give Azusa Pacific a 3-0 advantage. As Azusa Pacific would hold their presence on their attacking half a majority of the final minutes, Oldmark's shot on goal in the 79th would go off the left post and fall to the feet of Evelina Von Euler who set up Fernandez, but Fernandez shot would sail over the goal in what was a daring opportunity for Azusa Pacific. Moments after, the Cougars would drive down field again and Bradbury and Fernandez set up senior, Sydney Smith to give Azusa Pacific some insurance and take a 4-0 lead. The Cougars lead would hold as this was the final over the Sunbirds after 90 minutes of play. 

By the Numbers: The team turned in a 9-4-4 overall record for the 2022 season and a 6-2-2 conference record, finishing fourth in PacWest standings. As a team, Azusa Pacific ranked second in the conference in shots on goal with 127 and fourth in goals (30) and assists (26). 13 different players found the back of the net for the Cougars this season with 13 different players also collecting assists. The backline with the help of Maddie Williams and Bella Hara turned in 10 clean sheets which is the most since the 2016 season. 

The program graduates Mackenzie Coleman, Noanne Rosse, Alyssa Holt, Bern, Fernandez, Grisham, Von Euler and Smith who will all be greatly missed. "I'm so proud of our seniors and all they have done for the program." said Lincoln. Moving forward, Lincoln and her staff will look to their experienced returners and a group of young players that got significant time on the pitch this season. After a few weeks off, the team will return to the field for training during the spring to prepare for an already highly anticipated 2023 season. The team and coaching staff will continue to build off their success as the future is bright for the women's soccer program at Azusa Pacific.