CLAREMONT, Calif. – It took until the final buzzer, but the Cougars held on for a 12-11 win at Claremont Mudd-Scripps to earn their first winning streak of the season.  Seven different Cougars scored in the victory.

How It Happened: Neither side led by more than two at any point in the game.  Twice the Cougars battled back from a goal down to answer in the opening quarter, though the Athenas would claim a 4-3 lead after one.  While the Cougars never led in the first half, they tied the score three times in the second, with Laia Marsinach Ortega's strike with 2:18 left before halftime levelling the match at 6-6.

Twice in the third, the Athenas built a two-goal advantage at 8-6 and 9-7.  But on consecutive trips down the pool, Rachel Ahumada and Maritza Ochoa found the back of the cage, again tying the contest at 9-9 as it headed into the fourth.  With just under three minutes to play, Jessie Nelson gave the Cougars their first lead of the entire game at 11-10.  While Claremont was able to tie the game with just over a minute left, the Cougars worked the ball into the post on their ensuing possession, where Marsinach Ortega was able to complete her hat trick, scoring what proved to be the winning goal.

By the Numbers: The Cougars scored their 12 goals on only 21 recorded shots.  While the Cougars were whistled for 13 exclusions in the game, Claremont was only able to convert those opportunities into four goals.  Alex Airitam got the start in net and made five saves in the victory.  Marsinach Ortega had three goals, while Ochoa, Ahumada and Nelson each scored twice.  In the span of 24 hours, the Cougars earned road wins over the second- and fifth-ranked teams in NCAA Division III.

Up Next: Azusa Pacific (4-8) will head to Thousand Oaks next weekend for four games at the Cal Lutheran Invitational.  Up first will be a pair of contests on Friday against Whittier and Ottawa (AZ).