RIVERSIDE, Calif. - Azusa Pacific and California Baptist battled it out in a Golden Coast Conference game on Saturday, and it was the Cougars that emerged with a hard-fought 17-15 road victory. With the win, Azusa Pacific improved its record to 14-9 overall, including 2-3 in GCC play.

Madeline Schultz and Shyanne Rainey led the offensive attack for the Cougars, as Schultz finished with five goals, and Rainey had four. Alyssa Perez and Kyra Kahahawai added two goals apiece. In goal, Daniela Herrero Miralles earned the victory with four saves.

How It Happened: The Lancers looked to be in control early, as the hosts jumped out to a 4-1 advantage with just about four minutes played in the first. While the Cougars went on a 3-1 run over the remainder of the first, Cal Baptist was still able to head into the second with a lead at 5-4.

A little over a minute into the second period, Rainey scored the first goal for either team in the period to tie the game at 5-5, but the Lancers would go ahead by an 8-5 lead with three unanswered goals from about five minutes to play in the second until the three minute mark. With a little over a minute on the clock before halftime, Azusa Pacific trailed 9-6, but goals from Montana White (1:12) and Perez (0:30) allowed the Cougars to enter the break facing just a one goal deficit at 9-8.

The third period was the first in which the Cougars were able to outscore the Lancers, as Azusa Pacific put up five goals while Cal Baptist scored four. The Cougars' first lead of the game came on a goal by Maria Boix Pascual with 3:47 to go in the third which made it 11-10 Cougars, but Cal Baptist would answer about 30 seconds later to tie it back up at 11-11. Entering the fourth and final eight minutes of action, the two teams were locked at a 13-13 score.

The game was won by Azusa Pacific in the first five minutes of the fourth quarter, as the Cougar defense stifled the Lancer attack, holding the hosts scoreless, while the Cougars struck for three goals (two by Schultz, one by Kahahawai) to jump up by a 16-13 tally. Cal Baptist's first goal of the fourth came with 2:29 to play, but just 30 seconds later, Schultz put the ball in the back of the cage for the fifth time on the day, extending the Cougars' lead back up to a comfortable three-goal lead at 17-14. With just under a minute left, the Lancers added one more goal, but it was too little, too late.

By the Numbers: Azusa Pacific finished 17-for-39 (.447) on shot attempts, while Cal Baptist was 15-for-32 (.469). Both teams had nine power play chances, with the Lancers converting on six, while the Cougars scored four goals in advantage situations. Schultz converted on the lone five-meter penalty for either team. 

Up Next: The Cougars will have a two week break before their next game, which will be the home finale on Saturday, April 15 against San Diego State. The game will start at 11:00 am at the Citrus College Aquatic Center in Glendora.