SAN DIEGO, Calif - A late comeback was not enough for the Cougars in today's fifth place game in the Golden Coast Conference tournament, as Azusa Pacific fell to Concordia by a final score of 11-7.

Madeline Schultz scored three goals, while Skylar Ford picked up two, and Maritza Ochoa and Maria Boix Pascual each found the back of the net once. Kyra Kahahawai collected two assists in her final game as a Cougar and Daniela Herrero Miralles came up with five saves in the net as well.

How it Happened: The Cougars fell behind quickly as the Golden Eagles scored four unanswered goals through the beginning of the second quarter. The Cougars responded in the second quarter as Schultz scored her first goal of the day to narrow Concordia's lead, but the Golden Eagles found the back of the net two more times to take a 6-1 lead over the Cougars. 

Azusa Pacific found their momentum towards the end of the second quarter and beginning of the third when the Cougars scored four unanswered by Shultz and Ford to cut the Golden Eagles lead to 6-5. 

The third quarter remained a back and forth battle as both teams found the net two more times. Heading into the fourth quarter, Concordia led the Cougars 8-6, and the lead was too much to overcome for Azusa Pacific. 

Boix Pascual scored one of her own to contribute to the comeback, but the Golden Eagles dented the twine three more times. Azusa Pacific ended up falling by a final score of 11-7 to Concordia to take sixth place in the Golden Coast Conference tournament. 

The Cougars 2023 campaign came to an end today, but Azusa Pacific impressed throughout the season under the leadership of first year head coach Priscilla Gomez. Azusa Pacific put together a winning season for the first time since 2019, going 14-13 on the year, and Gomez will return 14 to the 2024 squad as the future continues to look bright for Azusa Pacific water polo.