SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – Azusa Pacific continued to keep their PacWest Tournament hopes alive with a convincing 4-0 victory over Academy of Art Monday afternoon.  The Cougars outshot the Urban Knights 24-3 in the contest.

How It Happened:  The Cougars seized the initiative from the outset, as for the third time this season, Avery Guiel struck in the opening minutes.  Jaci Maze found the forward on a pass from the left edge of the box, which Guiel tapped in for her sixth goal of the season just six minutes into the game.  About eight minutes later, Maze again worked some magic, finding Alexis Fuller in a 2-v-1 against the keeper, and Fuller found the back of the net for her second career goal to double the advantage.

The Cougars were gifted a third tally on the board thanks to an own goal in the 29th minute.  Azusa Pacific continued to attack in the second half, registering 15 shots in the final 45 minutes.  With about two minutes to go, they got one last corner kick.  Sierra Nickleberry lofted the ball towards the near post, where Hannah McLain got her head on it and directed the ball across the goal to Hannah Hilton, who tapped it in for her third of the season to provide the exclamation point on the action.

By the Numbers:  The Cougars recorded season highs in goals (4), shots (24), and shots on target (12).  Guiel's six goals are more than she has scored over the previous two seasons combined, and her goal was the fourth game-winner she has scored in 2024.  This was the Cougars' fourth-straight shutout victory over the Urban Knights, and Azusa Pacific is now 10-1-1 all-time against Academy of Art.

Up Next:  Azusa Pacific (11-3-1, 7-3 PacWest) will close out the regular season on Thursday when they take on Jessup.  Kickoff in Rocklin is set for 3:30 p.m.