IRVINE, Calif. - For the first time in program history, Azusa Pacific water polo will have back-to-back winning seasons, as the Cougars knocked off Golden Coast Conference rival Concordia by a 10-8 score on Thursday afternoon. With the win, the Cougars improve to 15-11 on the season, and they sit 3-3 in GCC play with one more game remaining on the regular season schedule. 

Seven different Cougars scored in the game, with three players finishing with a brace. Skylar Ford, Mica Schiavone and Alexandra Akritidou each had two goals, with Akritidou also adding a pair of assists and a pair of steals. In goal, Alex Airitam earned the victory, as she tallied five saves and had a .714 save percentage over 16 minutes of action in the third and fourth periods. 

How It Happened: Concordia was in control of the game early, as they held the Cougars scoreless over the first period of play to take a 3-0 advantage into the second. Akritidou scored the first goal for the visitors with just over seven and a half minutes to go before halftime, and Montana White added another a few minutes later to cut it to 3-2. However, the Golden Eagles would maintain the lead in the first half, and they entered the break up 5-3. 

After being held scoreless for nearly four minutes to open the third quarter, Azusa Pacific was trailing by a 7-3 score. Maritza Ochoa broke through for the Cougars' first goal of the second half, as she made it 7-4 with 4:14 on the third period clock. Ochoa's goal started a 5-0 unanswered run for the Cougars, as Azusa Pacific was able to flip the deficit into an 8-7 advantage with 7:45 remaining in the fourth. 

While the Golden Eagles knotted it up at 8-8 with 7:26 to go, the Cougar defense buckled down over the remainder of the contest to hold Concordia scoreless, while putting two goals in the back of the cage to secure the conference victory.

By the Numbers: Azusa Pacific was able to capitalize on seven of 15 power play opportunities, while the Golden Eagles went just 1-for-6 on power plays. The Cougars' win over Concordia snaps a three-game losing streak in the all-time series, as the Golden Eagles beat the Cougars twice last season and once in the 2022 campaign. 

Up Next: Azusa Pacific will have a chance to post a winning record in Golden Coast Conference play for just the second time in program history, as the Cougars will visit LMU on Saturday (April 20) at noon.