EAGLE ROCK, Calif. – Occidental extended a warm welcome to future confereence mate Azusa Pacific, then quickly demonstrated what it takes to compete at the top of the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
The reigning SCIAC champion Tigers, favored to repeat as conference champions this season, scored once in each half and received a standout performance from goalkeeper Carlos Abram to defeat Azusa Pacific, 2-0, in both teams' season opener Tuesday night at W.C. Patterson Field.
Azusa Pacific, which is beginning its transition from NCAA Division II to Division III with plans to join the SCIAC next year, received an early introduction to conference competition in its first matchup against Occidental in 33 years.
Seniors Elijah Edelman and Charlie Miller scored for the Tigers, helping Occidental earn its first victory over Azusa Pacific since a 1-0 verdict in Eagle Rock in 1986 and snapping the Cougars' seven-game unbeaten streak in the series.
Edelman opened the scoring in the 15th minute, converting a penalty kick high into the right corner of the net after Cougar defender Nassim Nouajaa was called for a foul inside the penalty area while battling for possession of a loose ball. The goal held up as the lone score of the first half.
Azusa Pacific caught a break less than 5 minutes into the second half when Occidental's Matthew Shea received his second yellow card of the match, forcing the Tigers to play the final 41 minutes with 10 men.
Despite the man advantage, the Cougars struggled to capitalize. Azusa Pacific controlled much of the second-half possession, but Occidental's defense consistently disrupted opportunities in the attacking third and prevented the Cougars from generating clear looks on goal.
Leke Ademola came closest to leveling the match in the 64th minute when his shot from 8 yards out struck the post. Otherwise, Abram turned away nearly every Azusa Pacific chance, collecting a career-high 7 saves and confidently handling several dangerous crosses.
Occidental appeared to double its lead in the 68th minute, but the goal was disallowed on a close offside call. The Tigers did, however, secure an insurance goal 8 minutes later when Miller finished a cross from Ethan Carr on a counterattack, effectively ending the Cougars' comeback hopes.
Despite the loss, Azusa Pacific outshot Occidental 19-11, including an 11-7 advantage in the second half.
With the victory, Occidental opens the season 1-0, while Azusa Pacific falls to 0-1. The Cougars return home Friday, Sept. 4, for their 2026 home opener against NAIA member Hope International. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
