CLAREMONT, Calif. — After splitting the first of two games in the Claremont Convergence Tournament on Friday, Azusa Pacific did the same Saturday defeating Claremont-Mudd-Scripps 13-5 before falling to Pomona-Pitzer in a tight battle 7-6. The Cougars are an even 5-5 through their first 10 games of the season.

Olivia Lott shined in goal as she tallied a career-high 18 saves as the Cougars netminder, as the defense allowed a season-low five goals in game one. Shyanne Rainey led the Cougars in points in the game one win tallying two goals and two assists while Milena Guzman Ortiz tallied her sixth hat trick in 10 games in the 13-5 win. Kyra Kahahawai tallied three of the six goals in game two in the 7-6 loss.

How it Happened (Game 1): The Cougars started on the power play as Kahahawai scored the opening goal of the game. Montana White tallied her first goal of the game just two minutes later to double the Azusa Pacific lead before Kahahawai scored again to make it 3-0. The Cougars would score three more before the end of the first quarter as Maria Boix Pascual, Guzman Ortiz, and Skylar Ford all got onto the scoresheet for the first time in the game.

Leading 6-1 after one, Azusa Pacific kept its foot on the pedal with a trio of goals in the second. Gabrielle Martinez scored the opening goal of the second period before Claremont-Mudd-Scripps got one back to make it 7-2. Guzman Ortiz tallied her second before Grace Pugh scored before the half to make it 9-2.

In the second half, the Cougars would outscore CMS 4-3 en route to their big win, starting with Lauren Hoyle who scored on the power play to start the third period. Guzman Ortiz completed the hat trick in the fourth while Rainey tallied two goals in the final period to help the Cougars to the 13-5 win. 

How it Happened (Game 2): In the second game, Azusa Pacific jumped out in front with a 2-1 lead after the first period. Hoyle scored the first goal of the game before the Sagehens tied it up at 1-apiece. With the clocking ticking down, goalie Kate Green-Jones fired a shot on goal in the closing seconds that found the back of the net giving Azusa Pacific the one-goal advantage.

Both teams would tally a goal in the second to put the Cougars up 3-2 at the break. But, Pomona-Pitzer's three-goal third period would prove to be the difference as each of them was scored in the final 4:05 of the period. 

Trailing 7-4 in the fourth quarter, the Cougars made a valiant effort to get back in the game scoring the game's final two goals. Kahahawai tallied her second and third goals in the fourth quarter to make it 7-5 before White's first goal of the game with four minutes left in the game brought the Cougars within one. But the Sagehens would hold on for the win, 7-6.

Up Next: Azusa Pacific's next game will be against rival Biola this coming Tuesday, March 8th. The Cougars will travel to La Mirada, Calif. for the contest which is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. Stream the game here, or follow along with live stats here.