AZUSA, Calif. – Azusa Pacific surrendered its first goal of the season, but responded well, rebounding for a 2-1 win over Lewis & Clark Saturday night at the Cougar Soccer Complex.

It was a night where the Cougars seemed to dominate everything except the all-important scoreboard.  The Cougars logged nine shot attempts in the first half and three corner kicks, but the first goal of the game went to the visitors in the dying seconds of the first half.  A loose ball about 15 yards shy of midfield was corralled by Grace Smith, who sent a long ball over the Cougar back line for Olivia Melanson to run onto.  The freshman had a breakaway and beat keeper Paloma Platas on what would prove to be the River Otters' only shot attempt of the night, but it put the visitors up 1-0 at intermission.

The Cougars would get back up from that surprise and charge at the River Otter net with renewed fury in the second half, and 12 minutes in, the equalizer was found.  Ariana Rivera got the ball deep on the left wing and drove along the end line into the box.  Her centering pass found Anela Sandobal, whose shot beat the keeper low to tie the game.

With 14 minutes remaining, the Cougars thought they had broken the tie when a hopeful cross from Sarah Goodwin clanged off the inside of the left post, but stayed out.  Just 90 seconds later, the breakthrough finally came when Haley Scott-Recarte got the ball in the center circle.  She dribbled twice, then found Victoria Castro.  The senior dribbled to the top of the box and curled a right-footed shot into the left side of the goal for her first strike of the season, and what proved to be the game-winner.

All told, the Cougars outshot the River Otters 23-1, including nine shots on goal.  The home side also enjoyed an 8-3 advantage in corner kicks.  Rivera was especially active, logging six shot attempts on the night.

The Cougars will head north to Washington state next week, where on Thursday they will put their 2-0 record on the line at Puget Sound.  Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.