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Azusa Pacific University Athletics

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Santa Maria, Isabella1 - WSOC [2026]
Brady Ecklund
1
Winner Azusa Pacific APU (7-1-2, 0-0-0)
0
Chapman CHAP (4-4-0, 4-1-0)
Winner
Azusa Pacific APU
(7-1-2, 0-0-0)
1
Final
0
Chapman CHAP
(4-4-0, 4-1-0)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Azusa Pacific APU 1 0 1
Chapman CHAP 0 0 0

Game Recap: Women's Soccer |

Cougars Put the Heat On

ORANGE, Calif. - Azusa Pacific found the goal it needed early and then made it stand Saturday afternoon, as Isabella Santa Maria scored in the 18th minute and goalkeeper Paloma Platas turned aside all 5 shots she faced to lift the Cougars to a 1-0 road victory over Chapman in a shorten game played at Wilson Field. The win improved Azusa Pacific to 7-1-2 and allowed the Cougars to rebound immediately from Wednesday's 2-0 setback against No. 11 Pomona-Pitzer.

Record-breaking heat that overwhelmed much of the Los Angeles basin Saturday forced officials to call the game in the 70th minute during the 1 o'clock hour of the day when the heat was officially pushing 100 degrees and was probably much more on the Wilson Field synthetic turf.

For a team that had scored freely during much of September, Saturday's victory came in a different fashion. APU had produced 18 goals during a four-match winning streak before being shut out by Pomona-Pitzer, but against Chapman one goal and a strong defensive effort were enough to get the Cougars back in the win column.

That goal came at the 17:48 mark.

Lauren Grissom set up Santa Maria, who finished the opportunity for her fourth goal of the season and a 1-0 Azusa Pacific advantage. The assist was Grissom's first of the season. Santa Maria's goal was her fourth on the second, all coming in the past 6 games.

From there, the Cougars had to protect the narrow advantage against a Chapman side that entered Saturday having won 4 of its first 5 SCIAC matches, including a 2-1 road victory over Claremont-Mudd-Scripps on Wednesday. The Panthers had also been perfect at home, winning each of their first 3 regular-season matches at Wilson Field before APU's visit.

Chapman applied its greatest pressure during the opening half, taking 9 of its 10 shots before intermission. Platas was required to make 4 saves during the opening 45 minutes, and APU's defense helped ensure Santa Maria's early strike remained the only goal of the half.

Chapman managed 1 shot in the abbreviated second half. The APU back line closed out the Cougars' fifth shutout in their last six matches.

The final statistical ledger was remarkably even. Both sides attempted 10 shots, with APU putting 6 on goal to Chapman's 5. The Cougars held a decisive 5-1 advantage in corner kicks, while Chapman goalkeeper Sienna Gomez and Millie Barber combined for five saves. APU committed 9 fouls compared with 6 for Chapman.

Ariana Rivera remained Azusa Pacific's most active attacking threat, accounting for four of APU's 10 shots and putting three on goal. Santa Maria scored on her lone attempt, while Grissom and Victoria Castro each put a shot on frame. Julia Galdamez, Anela Sandobal and Aubrey Camacho also registered attempts for the Cougars.

At the other end, Platas was perfect. The APU keeper played the entire match and recorded five saves for her shutout, denying a Chapman attack led by Sidney Karjian, who took a team-high 3 shots.
The excessive heat affected both coaches' strategy as well.  An extraordinary number of 51 players saw action today.  No Chapman player was on the field for more than 60 minutes, with 17 Panthers logging between 10 and 30 minutes of play.

Saturday's result also continued an impressive defensive stretch for Azusa Pacific. The Cougars shut out Westcliff 5-0, Whittier 4-0 and Caltech 8-0 in consecutive home matches, then went on the road and blanked Occidental 1-0. After No. 11 Pomona-Pitzer ended that run with a 2-0 win Wednesday, APU responded by keeping Chapman off the board. Over its last 6 matches, the Cougar defense has surrendered just 2 goals while recording 5 shutouts.

The win also handed Chapman its first home defeat of the regular season and snapped the Panthers' 2-match winning streak. Chapman fell to 4-4 overall, while Azusa Pacific moved to 7-1-2.

The Cougars continue their road swing Wednesday, Oct. 7, when they travel to La Verne for a 7 p.m. match. APU then returns home Saturday, Oct. 10, to face Cal Lutheran at 7 p.m.
 
 
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