Stockton, Calif. - Showing just how much depth it truly has, the Pacific women's water polo team routed visiting Azusa Pacific 16-5 Saturday, Feb. 4, as part of the Pacific Invitationa at the Chris Kjeldsen Aquatics Complex.
The win puts Pacific over .500 at 3-2 while Azusa Pacific now sits at 2-4.
11 different Tigers found the back of the cage during the match. Sophomores Malena Prlain notchd a hattrick while classmate Elise Martin, along with freshman Ashley Pitcock, tallied two goals apiece.
"We were able to really utilize our strong depth today," head coach Megan Thomson said. "I thought offensively we really stepped up and finished our opportunities. It shows that we're gaining more confidence with each match."
Pacific sprinted out of the gate with four first-quarter goals. Freshman Kelsey Carter put the Tigers on the board first followed by goals from senior Kim Kay, Prlain, and Martin.
The Tigers scored their fifth unanswered goal early in the second frame as freshman Crystal Villanueva put one past Azusa Pacific's keeper. The Cougars managed to find the scoreboard on a goal from Taylor Whitney at the 7:19 mark but Pacific would score four of the next five goals to take a 9-2 lead into intermission. Putting shots away for the Tigers were freshman Brydie Pye, Prlain, senior Sophie Waldron, and Martin.
The third quarter saw Pacific extend its lead to nine on Prlain's third goal of the match and a score from senior Brittany Lloyd. Azusa Pacific notched a pair of goals late in the quarter to pull to within seven with one period left to play.
Pacific quickly put to rest any chance for a Cougar comeback, tallying three straight goals to go ahead 14-4 with 5:06 left. Junior Nicole Vasco scored the first goal before Pitcock ripped off consecutive scores. Azusa Pacific would score on a power play with 4:38 remaining but sophomore Chelsea Weir became the 11th player in the scorebook with a 6-on-5 goal at the 2:19 mark, sealing Pacific's win.
Sophomore goalkeeper Michele Relton had a stellar game in the cage for the Tigers, blocking 10 shots. She now has reached double-figures in saves in three straight matches.
A trio of Cougars ended the match with two goals. Jessica Armagost registered 11 saves in a complete-game effort.
The Tigers return to the pool tomorrow morning when they take on Wagner at 9 a.m. as part of the Pacific Invitational. Pacific will continue its support of breast cancer awareness by wearing pink tomorrow and encourages its fans to do the same.
Pacific 15, Azusa Pacific 6
Azusa Pacific 0 - 2 - 2 - 2 -- 6
Pacific 4 - 5 - 2 - 4 -- 15
Goals
Pacific - Prlain 3, Martin 2, Pitcock 2, Carter, Kay, Lloyd, Pye, Vasco, Villanueva, Waldron, Weir
Azusa Pacific - Folsom 2, Horchler 2, Whitney 2
Goalkeeper Saves
Pacific - Relton 10
Azusa Pacific - Armagost 11
