ORANGE, Calif. – Azusa Pacific opened a two-game road swing with an 18-9 win over Chapman on Saturday afternoon at Allred Aquatics Center.

Chapman struck first with two early goals, but the Cougars quickly settled in and responded with a four-goal first quarter. Jessie Nelson got Azusa Pacific rolling with a finish off an assist from Audrey Dexter, and Evelyne Prado followed with a goal set up by Bailey Hollick. Dexter added another score in the period, and Nelson capped the opening frame with her second goal to give APU a 4-3 lead after one.

The Cougars continued to build in the second. Montana George found the back of the cage off an assist from Sophia Vetuli, Dexter scored again on a feed from Prado, and Nelson added another late goal to help Azusa Pacific take a 7-5 advantage into halftime.

After Chapman opened the third-quarter scoring with a penalty goal, Azusa Pacific answered with a big response. Dexter converted a G-E opportunity, Nelson scored on the counter, and Dexter struck again off a Nelson assist. Hollick added a late goal in the final seconds of the period to keep the momentum with the Cougars, who carried an 11-8 lead into the fourth.

Azusa Pacific put the game away with a seven-goal fourth quarter. George opened the period with a goal off a Nelson assist, Dexter and Nelson connected again for another score, and Prado converted a penalty goal. Olivia Ocampo added a G-E finish late, and Nelson closed the scoring with a goal in the final seconds before Hollick added one more at the horn to seal the 18-9 result.

Nelson led the way with six goals and three assists, while Dexter finished with five goals and an assist. Prado added two goals and two assists, Hollick scored twice and added two assists, and George chipped in two goals. In the cage, Kayla Tweed recorded nine saves.

Up Next: The Cougars travel to San Diego on Thursday, March 5 to play San Diego State. Game time against the Aztecs is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.