POMONA, Calif. - Azusa Pacific fought to stay alive against Western Washington in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, coming back from a one-goal deficit with just four minutes left, but ultimately fell 2-1. 

"It's hard to end a season when you know you didn't play at your best but today's result doesn't negate the season that we've had which has been full of so many good things," said head coach Brooke Lincoln.

"The senior class has set new expectations and they should be so proud of themselves. Today was a difference of mentality-you could tell we had never been there before. Now we have. We will be ready for our next opportunity."

How it Happened: Western Washington set the tone early in the match and went up 1-0 just three minutes into the first half. The Vikings capitalized on a fatal mistake from the Cougar's backline, as they pressed the defense into a turnover and easily slotted the ball into an open net. 

Western Washington controlled the entire first half, putting up four shots to the Cougars' two, and drawing three corners, while the Cougars had none. Despite the statistics tilting towards the Vikings, the teams split possession 50/50 after the opening 45 minutes.

The Cougars came out in the second half a completely different squad, putting up two shots in the first five minutes. Graduate student Faith Crouse was a threat on the left wing, as she continuously beat her defender and was able to get three dangerous shots off, but none hit the target. The Cougars continued to press the Vikings, but as the clock dropped to less than 5 minutes in the match, Western Washington looked to be the team to advance uncontested.

In the 86th minute, redshirt freshman Natalie Kamper beat her defender and blasted the ball into the box from the right side of the goal. Jaci Maze got a shoulder on it, redirecting the ball on frame, where the Vikings' unexpecting goalkeeper fumbled with it before it fell into the net to even the scoreline to 1-1 with just four minutes left. 

As the clock counted down with just a minute left, the game looked like it would need overtime periods to determine a winner, but Western Washington spoiled the Cougars short-lived hope. The Vikings sent a cross from deep on the right side of the field to an open player at the back post who easily redirected the ball with her head to put the Vikings back on top 2-1 with just 27 seconds left in the match. 

The Cougars close their season with a 12-4-1 record, the winningest season in 8 years, and the first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2016. Notable losses to the program include four-year starters Gianna Ocello and Maddie Williams, leading goal scorer (11) and first-team All-PacWest Jaci Maze, second-team All-PacWest Hailey Hilton, and transfer Neyda Martinez.