AZUSA, Calif. - #25 Azusa Pacific women's tennis defeated Concordia 4-3 at the Munson and Bavougian Tennis Complex on Friday afternoon. The match came down to the wire as Shannele Lopez clinched on No. 6 to secure the victory for Azusa Pacific.

How it Happened: The Cougars jumped out to a quick start, as they clinched the doubles point via a 6-0 win from Katherine Nguyen and Lopez on No. 3 and a 6-3 victory from Madison Kane and Miruna Tudor on No. 1. 

With a 1-0 lead, Tudor flew to a straight set victory on No. 4 (6-2, 6-2). Concordia then clinched the match on No. 2, but Vini Bautista then won in three sets, 0-6, 6-2, 6-2 on No. 3 to give Azusa Pacific a 3-1 lead. The Golden Eagles found a way to tie it, clinching matches at No. 5 and No. 1 to even it out at 3-3. 

It all came down to Lopez on No. 6, and she came through with her 16th singles win of the season, earning the victory in three sets, 6-1, 4-6, 6-2. 

The Cougars end the regular season 17-1, which is the best start the program has seen in its history. Azusa Pacific is currently ranked #25 in the nation as doubles duo Kane and Tudor are ranked #3. Kane is also ranked #14 and Tudor is #47 in singles. 

Up Next: The Cougars look ahead to the PacWest Championships taking place in Surprise, Arizona next week (April 17-20). The final seedings for the tournament will release this week.