Fresno, Calif. — Azusa Pacific delivered a commanding performance at the Sunnyside Aquatics Complex on Thursday night, cruising to a 16–4 win over Fresno Pacific. The Cougars asserted their dominance early and never let up, notching their highest goal total of the season and improving both offensively and defensively.

It jumped out to a 4–1 lead in the first quarter and never looked back, thanks to a dynamic showing from senior Laia Marsinach Ortega. Ortega led all scorers with six goals and added two assists, accounting for half of the team's total offensive production. Her presence was felt all over the pool, also contributing with a steal despite drawing two exclusions.

They saw additional firepower from Jessie Nelson and Audrey Dexter, who added two and one goals respectively, with Nelson also tallying a steal and an assist. In total, ten different Cougars scored, showcasing the team's depth and cohesion.

Fresno Pacific struggled to keep pace despite early efforts from Emma Cook, who scored two of the Sunbirds' four goals. Defensive lapses and offensive pressure from it wore down FPU as the game progressed — particularly in the fourth quarter, where APU shut them out while scoring four unanswered goals.

Statistically, they outshot Fresno Pacific 35–20 and registered more steals (13 to 9). Goalie Daniela Herrero Miralles anchored the defense with seven saves in the complete-game effort, limiting FPU to just one goal per quarter through the first three periods and none in the fourth.

Up Next: APU will remain in Fresno for another day for a afternoon Gold Coast Conference matchup against Fresno State.