FRESNO, Calif. - Azusa Pacific water polo completed play at the Fresno State Invitational with a split on the day, losing to UC Davis and winning the final game against Claremont Mudd-Scripps in thrilling fashion, 9-8.
GAME ONE: UC Davis 15, Azusa Pacific 10
The Cougars fell behind early and the deficit was too big to overcome in the first game of the day. UC Davis was able to race out to a 6-1 lead in the first period, including a five-goal unanswered streak over the first six minutes of play. Shyanne Rainey finally broke through for the Cougars with just under two minutes to play in the first.
Azusa Pacific's struggle to find the back of the goal continued through the second quarter, as Kaelene De Bie provided the lone score of the period for the Cougars. At the half, the Aggies held an 8-1 lead.
In the second half, the Cougars outscored UC Davis in both periods, but it was only margins of 3-2 in the third, and 5-4 in the fourth. The closest the Cougars would get over the final two periods was five points, which came off of a Skylar Ford goal with just three seconds remaining the brought the game to its final score of 15-10.
De Bie finished with a team-high three goals, while Maritza Ochoa and Rainey joined her with a multi-goal game, with each adding two goals apiece. Six different Cougars recorded a steal in the game.
GAME TWO: AZUSA PACIFIC 9, Claremont Mudd-Scripps 8
Azusa Pacific was able to climb out to a 6-1 lead through the second period of the game with Madeline Schultz and Montana White each having two goals a-piece. Before the second period ended, the Athena's capitalized on a power play to cut their deficit to four.
The third period benefited Claremont-Mudd-Scripps as they scored four unanswered to tie the game at 6-6. The Athena's were able to score two more to take an 8-6 lead over the Cougars, but Schultz and White were able to combine for back-to-back goals to tie the game.
With one second left in the game, Maritza Ochoa capitalized on an opportunity and provided the game-winning goal which results in a 9-8 victory for Azusa Pacific.
Up Next: Another tournament lies ahead for the Cougars, as they will head to Thousand Oaks next weekend for the Tina Finali Tournament, hosted by Cal Lutheran. The Cougars will play two games on Friday (Feb. 24 against Cal State Fullerton and Ottawa (Ariz.)) and two on Saturday (Feb. 25 against Toronto and Cal Lutheran).
