ARCATA, Calif. - Azusa Pacific put three in the back of the cage to open the 2024 season, as the Cougars earned a 3-1 road victory over Cal Poly Humboldt on Thursday afternoon. Avery Guiel would lead the Cougar attack, scoring two goals, while Madison Woodward set up Hailey Hilton for an insurance goal to secure Azusa Pacific's victory.

How It Happened: Guiel did not take long to get her name on the scoresheet in the new campaign, as she put one past the Humboldt keeper in just the fourth minute of action to put the visiting side in front 1-0. Guiel stayed on the front foot early, as she put another shot on target in the 10th minute of play.

On the other end of the pitch, the Cougar defense kept the Lumberjacks from even getting a shot off through the first half hour of play, as Azusa Pacific's goalkeeper Maddie Williams made her first save of the match in the 33rd minute. At halftime, the score held at 1-0. 

Just as she had done in the first half, Guiel struck quickly to start the second half, as she had a brace less than two minutes into the action, doubling Azusa Pacific's lead to 2-0 in the 47th minute of play.

Cal Poly Humboldt would threaten their way back into the game with a goal in the 55th minute, but Hilton would deliver insurance for the Cougars in the 63rd minute. Off of a free kick from the right corner, Woodward was able to get her head on the ball and steer it across frame to Hilton, who put it away for the third goal of the match.''

By the Numbers: Possession was split evenly between the two sides, with the Cougars holding a slight 51-49 advantage. Azusa Pacific took nine shots in the game, with eight on frame, while Cal Poly Humboldt finished with four shots and only two on goal. The Cougars' three goals is their most in a season opener since the 2019 season, when they opened with a 3-1 road win over Cal State Dominguez Hills.

Up Next: The Cougars will stay in Arcata, with a neutral-site match at Cal Poly Humboldt against Sonoma State. That match is scheduled for a 2:00 pm kick off on Saturday. That match can be watched HERE.