Women's Soccer

APU Beats Sonoma State, 3-1, in NCAA Women’s Soccer Opener

Box Score
Bracket
 
LA JOLLA, Calif.- Sixth-seed Azusa Pacific knocked off third-seed Sonoma State, 3-1, in the opening round of the NCAA Women’s Soccer West Regional Thursday afternoon. The Cougars advance to face second-seed UC San Diego on Saturday at noon in the semifinals in La Jolla.
 
The win was the second in APU and PacWest women’s soccer history. Last year, the Cougars won their NCAA postseason debut, also against Sonoma State, in the regional semifinals. APU’s three goals were also an NCAA best by a PacWest team.
 
APU struck first in the 36th minute when the UCSD goalie tried a loose ball, but the ball bounced off Stephanie Loussau’s body and bounded back into the right corner of the goal. Kellie Yoshihara added another goal right before halftime, sending a left-footed shot into the bottom left corner from 25 yards out.
 
Sonoma State cut the lead in half just four minutes into the second half. APU added an insurance goal in the 84th minute, when Allyn Brown fed Mikaela Truckey, who played a cross to the far left post for Kennedy Christie to head home.