Azusa Pacific opened the Claremont Convergence with a dominant 20-3 win over La Verne, and a few hour later, the Cougars fell by a 15-8 score to #11 Arizona State. The Cougars are 10-8 overall, and they have won eight out of their last 11 games.

Azusa Pacific 20, La Verne 3

The Cougars took control from the outset, out-scoring the Leopards by a 7-1 margin in the first quarter, and then adding seven more goals in the second quarter while holding La Verne scoreless for a 14-1 halftime advantage. The Cougars also out-scored the Leopards in both the third (2-1) and fourth quarters (4-1). Three Cougars had a hat trick in the win, as Skylar Ford, Nicole Perez and Montana White each put three in the back of the net. Maritza Ochoa added two goals and three assists to help lead the way offensively. Daniela Herrero Miralles was the Cougars' winning goalie, recording three saves over the first and second quarters. Alex Airitam took over in the second half, finishing with four saves.

The Cougars finished 20-for-26 shooting, which earned them their highest shooting percentage of the season thus far at .769. The Cougars have now scored 20 or more goals three times this season, which is the most 20-goal games in program history. 

#11 Arizona State 15, Azusa Pacific 8

The Cougar defense looked great in the first quarter, as they held the Sun Devils to just one goal on four shots, including a pair of saves by Airitam who started between the posts for the Cougars. On the other end of the pool, Azusa Pacific took an early 2-1, as reigning GCC Player of the Week Mica Schiavone scored on a power play and Ochoa delivered the go-ahead goal with 3:16 to play in the first. The Cougars maintained the one goal lead heading into the second.

The Sun Devils found their offensive rhythm in the second quarter, putting seven shots into the back of the net to double up the Cougars for an 8-4 lead heading into the intermission. 

After scoring two goals in both the first and second quarters, the trend continued for the Cougars in the third and fourth, as they added two more in each period while Arizona State scored five in the third and two over the final eight minutes. The closest the Cougars would get in the second half was four goals, which happened as late as 10-6 with 2:47 on the clock in the third.

Ochoa scored her second hat trick of the day, and Laia Marsinach Ortega added two goals. Maria Boix Pascual tallied two assists.

Up Next: The Cougars will have two more games in the Claremont Convergence tomorrow, with a morning matchup against Caltech (game will be played at Occidental) at 9:20 am, followed by a 1:15 game against Cal State East Bay in Whittier.