CLAREMONT, Calif. – Azusa Pacific found the back of the net on the road, but were unable to hold on to that advantage in a 2-1 defeat to Claremont-Mudd-Scripps on a rainy Wednesday evening at Nakasone Field.
The Cougars were able to take the lead just past the midway point of the first half. In the 23td minute, Isabella Santa Maria dribbled into the box and regained possession near the endline at the edge of the box. The junior kept possession, then curled a ball from the edge of the box and tucked it into the narrow space between the crossbar and the outstretched arms of the Athenas keeper for her sixth goal of the season, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead.
That lead would last for all of five minutes before Claremont would equalize, stealing the ball from the Cougar back line at midfield and counterattacking in very short order. The rest of the half would pass with the score deadlocked at 1-1, despite the Cougars owning a 10-6 edge in shots.
The Athenas would take the lead with what proved to be the game-winner in the 63rd minute, once again off a counterattack, this one started by blocking a Cougar shot near the top of the box and taking the ball 90 yards the other way. The Cougars would continue to press, searching for an equalizer over the final 27 minutes, but were unable to find the back of the net again, despite outshooting Claremont for the game 24-13, including putting 10 attempts on target on the evening and earning 7 corner kicks.
Julia Galdamez, who had a had trick 48 hours earlier, had a team-high six shot attempts, including three shots on goal. Paloma Platas made 6 saves to keep the Cougars within a goal. The Cougars had been undefeated in 7 previous meetings with the Athenas (now 5-1-2 all-time), though this was their first meeting since 2011, when the Cougars were in their final season in the NAIA.
Now 8-5-2 on the season, the Cougars will head east for their final game against SCIAC opposition this season, visiting Redlands on Wednesday. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
