MERCED, Calif. - Azusa Pacific turned in a dominant performance on Friday afternoon, defeating host UC Merced by a 22-2 score, which is the second-largest margin of victory in program history. The program record for margin of victory was set during the 2014 season, when Azusa Pacific knocked off Penn State Behrend by a 24-0 score. With today's win, the Cougars are now 4-5 on the season, and Azusa Pacific has put 10 or more goals into the back of the cage in three consecutive games.
11 different Cougars scored in the game, with Maria Boix Pascual and
Rachel Ahumada each turning in a hat-trick performance to lead the way for the visitors.
Skylar Ford,
Alyssa Perez,
Mica Schiavone,
Alexandra Akritidou and
Evelyne Prado also added two goals apiece. Ford also had a pair of assists, while Ahumada was credited with three steals.
Daniela Herrero Miralles earned the win in goal for the Cougars, racking up nine saves in the contest.
The Cougars took control of the game quickly, putting four shots in the back of the cage over the opening eight minutes of play. Azusa Pacific was able to stretch its lead all the way up to 11-0 just before halftime, but a UC Merced goal with just over 20 seconds left before the break finally put the Bobcats on the scoreboard.
Out of the intermission, the Cougars added five more goals over the course of the third period on the offensive end, while defensively they held UC Merced scoreless in the period. Entering the fourth period, Azusa Pacific was in full control with a 16-1 lead.
The Cougars closed out the evening by out-scoring the Bobcats by a 6-1 margin over the fourth and final period of play.
Azusa Pacific finished 22-of-34 shooting, posting a .647 shot percentage, while the Bobcats were 2-for-28 (.071). Both teams were called for five exclusions, with the Cougars finishing 2-for-5 on power plays, compared to an 0-for-5 showing by UC Merced.
Through nine games, the Cougars are averaging 12.6 goals per game, while holding their opponents to an average of 9.4 goals. The Cougars have now scored 22 goals in a game twice this season, as Azusa Pacific beat Ottawa (Ariz.) by a 22-6 score at the UCSB Invite in late January.
Up Next: The Cougars are back in the pool tomorrow, as they will face Fresno Pacific in Fresno at the Fresno State Invitational. The game will start at 2:30 pm.
