The APU women’s soccer team gave regionally ranked Cal State Los Angeles its first loss Saturday 2-1 at Cougar Soccer Complex.
Cal State LA, sporting a 5-0 record coming in, opened scoring in the 21st minute with a shot from five yards from forward Lindsey Holt, assisted by Joanna Espinoza.
Less than a minute later, junior midfielder Mayra Almazan scored the first goal for the Cougars on a free kick 20 yards from the right side of the field. Senior forward Alyx Williams scored APU’s second goal in the 79th minute through a left-footed kick from the top of the box.
The Eagles placed only one shot on goal in the second half, unable to challenge the Cougars’ lead.
“I thought the first half we struggled a bit,” head coach Jason Surrell said. “They were the better team in the first half, but we improved quite a bit in the second half, and we played well enough to get a goal and we got the win.”
The victory brings the Cougars to 2-4 before beginning conference play.
“Our record of 0-4 was frustrating and hard to get out off, but we had to stay positive,” Almazan said. “We are going into conference with more confidence.”
APU will take on Point Loma University Sept. 27 at Cougar Soccer Complex.