AZUSA, Calif. – Julia Galdamez delivered a three-goal performance as Azusa Pacific women's soccer snapped a three-game losing streak with a commanding 5-1 victory over La Sierra on Monday night at the Cougar Soccer Complex. The Cougars improved to 8-4-2 overall after erupting for four second-half goals to pull away from the Golden Eagles.
After struggling offensively in recent matches, APU responded with one of its most dominant attacking performances of the season. The Cougars outshot La Sierra 25-4, including a 19-3 advantage in shots on goal, while controlling the corner kick battle 12-0. Five goals from three different players highlighted an offensive attack that kept the Golden Eagles under pressure throughout the evening.
Despite controlling the opening minutes, Azusa Pacific found itself trailing in the 21st minute when Bianca Ahumada converted a penalty kick to give La Sierra a 1-0 advantage. The Cougars needed just 64 seconds to respond as Lauren Grissom connected with Galdamez for the equalizer in the 22nd minute. APU continued to push forward, outshooting the Golden Eagles 12-1 in the opening half, but entered the break tied 1-1.
The Cougars wasted little time taking control in the second half. In the 53rd minute, Isabella Santa Maria set up Galdamez for her second goal of the night, giving APU a 2-1 advantage. Azusa Pacific continued generating opportunities while keeping La Sierra's offense in check, setting the stage for a late scoring surge.
With the Cougars holding a one-goal lead, Galdamez delivered the decisive blow in the 77th minute, completing her hat trick off another assist from Grissom to extend the advantage to 3-1. Less than a minute later, Emily Cherry joined the scoring column, finishing a pass from Ariana Rivera for her third goal of the season to push the lead to 4-1.
APU added one final goal in the 88th minute as Santa Maria finished a feed from Rivera, capping a four-goal second half and putting the finishing touches on the 5-1 victory. The Cougars scored three times in the final 14 minutes to turn a tightly contested match into a convincing win.
Galdamez led all players with three goals on four shots, while Santa Maria added a goal and an assist. Grissom and Rivera each finished with two assists, while Cherry contributed a goal. Goalkeeper Paloma Platas recorded two saves in 90 minutes as the Cougars limited La Sierra to just four total shots.
La Sierra was led by Ahumada, who recorded the Golden Eagles' lone goal, while goalkeeper Sophia Diaz finished with 14 saves. The Golden Eagles fell to 6-10 overall.
The victory gives Azusa Pacific momentum heading back into SCIAC competition as the Cougars travel to face Claremont-Mudd-Scripps on Wednesday (Oct. 21) at 7 p.m.
