CARSON, Calif. - Just 90 minutes into the 2023 season, Azusa Pacific was able to see how it measures up against one of the top teams in the region and country, as the Cougars visited No. 10 Cal State Dominguez Hills on Thursday evening to open up the new campaign. The two teams battled to a scoreless draw.

"It was a really good game to open our season." said head coach Dave Blomquist. "Our team worked together and defensively, Leo had control over his box." Blomquist continued, "It was competitive from end to end and to travel to Cal State Dominguez Hills, a very competitive CCAA team, and come up with a clean sheet is great." 

How it Happened: From the start, it was a physical match. Within the first 35 minutes of play, there were five yellow cards issued, with the Cougars receiving four of those. The first chance of the game came in the 10th minute, when Chris Bak put one on frame for the Cougars, forcing the Toros goalkeeper to register the first save of the game. In the 14th minute, the Toros put their first shot on target, and Cougar goalkeeper Leo Moreno responded with his first save of the season.

Cal State Dominguez Hills threatened with three more shots on target over the remainder of the first half, but Moreno was up to the task and saved all three.

The second half was much of the same story, with both keepers fending off a handful of chances to maintain clean sheets. The last quality opportunity of the game came in the 81st minute for the Cougars, but a shot off the foot of Gavin Chagnon was saved and kept the teams even.

By the Numbers: Despite the Toros controlling the majority of possession and creating more opportunities, Moreno and the Cougar defense secured the clean. Cal State Dominguez Hills finished with a total of 20 shots, with eight on goal (all eight were saved by Moreno), and the Cougars took nine shots, with four on frame. The Toros possessed the ball for 59% of the match, including 75% of that possession in their attacking half of the field. Azusa Pacific finished at 60% of its possession in the attacking half of the field. 

Up Next: With their first road contest of the season under their belt, the Cougars will have a day of preparation for their home opener, with Regis set to visit the Cougar Soccer Complex this Saturday, Sept. 2 at 5:00 pm.