SAN FRANCISCO – Goals seemed to come early and often for Azusa Pacific in the penultimate match of 2024 for Academy of Art women's soccer, as the Cougars set a high bar early and didn't relent while going on to take the match from ART U by a final of 4-0 in Monday's Pacific West Conference battle.

Seeing their offensive strategy come to fruition early in the opening frame, APU managed to spring ahead after watching Avery Guiel and Alexis Fuller to knock in scores for the Cougars as they'd maintain the lead at halftime up by a trio of goals. Both sophomore forward Katie Correa and sophomore forward Jade Alverio and would get shots off in the half with the latter's being the first attempt from either squad in the match, but neither would manage to stay on target. 

The second half would be no easier for the Urban Knights on the offensive side, as ART U saw a shot veer its way towards the net from freshman midfielder Zeena Grewal, but Alexia Muniz was there to make the save. The ART U defense did seem to improve down the stretch as they disallowed a score for nearly all 45 minutes of the closing frame, but Hailey Hilton went on to ruin the strong defensive play as she tapped one in right on the line after it was sent across the net by Hannah McLain off a Sierra Nickelberry cross. The match was finalized just a few minutes later with a 4-0 final.

Despite the goals allowed, graduate student goalkeeper Nicole Peoples fought hard between the posts as she racked up nine saves against the Cougars, her fifth-most of her 2024 campaign, to eclipse the 100-save threshold this year.
 
Academy of Art will close out the 2024 season with their last match coming next Saturday, Nov. 9 with a Senior Day ceremony commencing at 2:30 p.m at CCSF Soccer Field.