TEMPE, Ariz. – Azusa Pacific fell to California Baptist in its third and final game of the Arizona State Cross Conference Challenge, losing by a score of 7-5.

Maritza Ochoa led with two goals, followed by Skylar Ford, Madeline Schultz, and Rachel Ahumada, who each had a goal of their own. In the goal, Daniela Herrero Miralles had 5 saves and 1 steal.

How It Happened: The Lancers started the game strong with three goals in the first quarter alone. The Cougars were able to fire off six shots but none of them found the back of the net in the opening quarter.

At the 5:59 mark in the second quarter, Ochoa scored the Cougars' first goal to cut the score 3-1. Two minutes later, Rachel Ahumada was also able to find the back of the net for the first time this season, cutting the score within one point (3-2) with 4:09 left in the half. Neither team would produce a goal over the remainder of the first half.

In the third quarter, the scoreless drought continued for both teams until there was just 40 seconds left in the period, as the Lancers delivered a goal to make the score 4-2 going into the final quarter.

In the fourth quarter with 7:01 to play, Ochoa found the back of the net again, this time on a power play, to make it 4-3. Within the next minute, Cal Baptist scored again to make the score 5-4. Ford responded by firing off another goal to score the team's final point of the game with 2:52 left. 

The Lancers would go on to score two more goals within the next few minutes to make the score 7-4 with 45 seconds left in the game. Schultz added one more goal for the Cougfars with 28 seconds remaining. 

By the Numbers: The Cougars struggled to score as they fired off 22 shots but only five of them found the back of the net to give them a 22% success rate to the Lancers' 7/19 (37%). Azusa Pacific also had 8 blocks, 7 steals, and won 2 sprints.

Up Next: After finishing out their weekend in Arizona, the Cougars will now travel back to So Cal for their next tournament in Riverside. The Cougars will play four games in the CBU Mini Tournament with their first game taking place on Jan. 27th at 12:30 p.m. against Fresno Pacific.