FULLERTON, Calif. – The Cougars remain undefeated against Division III opposition in 2026, dispatching Whittier by a 21-6 final Friday afternoon before falling to the host Titans by a score of 11-8 at the Titans Aquatic Center.

Game One: Azusa Pacific 21, Whittier 6
The Cougars jumped all over the Poets, scoring on their first six offensive possessions and not looking back.  Jessie Nelson completed a hat trick in the first five minutes of the game as the Cougars led 7-2 after one quarter.  In all, six different Cougars found the back of the net in the first half as Azusa Pacific built a 10-3 halftime advantage.

The offense continued to pour it on during a six-goal outburst in the third.  Four different Cougars would finish the game with a hat trick, as Nelson and Audrey Dexter each scored five goals, Bailey Hollick added four and Montana White finished with three, while Kori Cunningham added two goals, three assists, and six steals on defense.  Avery Reyes and Kayla Tweed both played one half in net, each allowing three goals, with Reyes picking up four saves and an assist.

Game Two: Cal State Fullerton 11, Azusa Pacific 8
The Cougars again jumped out to a significant early lead, but were unable to withstand the charge from a Division I opponent in their home pool.  Dexter opened the scoring on a penalty throw and that–coupled with another Nelson first-quarter hat trick–propelled the Cougars to a 4-1 advantage at the end of the first quarter.  But the Titans stormed back, scoring on each of their final five possessions of the second quarter and assuming a 7-6 lead at the half.

Try as the Cougars might, they were unable to even up the score again, as Cal State Fullerton would have an answer both times Azusa Pacific pulled within one in the third quarter, and the Titans pitched a shutout in the fourth to complete the come-from-behind victory.  Nelson scored five goals for the second time on the day–giving her a Golden Coast Conference-leading 22 on the season, while Cunningham and Jaeden Johnson each handed out three assists.  On the defensive front, Daniela Herrero Miralles made nine saves and had a pair of steals.

Up Next: Remaining at .500 on the season, Azusa Pacific (3-3) will turn right around and play its home opener Saturday, with two games on tap against the Virginia Military Institute at 9:00 a.m. before hosting Cal Lutheran at 12:00 noon.  Both matches will be played at the Citrus College Aquatic Center.