GLENDORA, Calif. – Golden Coast Conference action began on a high-note for the No. 25 Pacific women's water polo program as it cruised to a 19-10 win over Azusa Pacific on Saturday at the Citrus College Aquatic Center.
 
After conceding the first goal to the Cougars (11-6, 0-2 GCC), the Tigers (7-5, 1-0 GCC) answered with a 5-0 run to take control and lead 5-1 at the end of the first quarter. Pacific extended it to 11-4 at halftime and 16-5 midway through the third quarter to pull away.
 
Big performances came from junior Laia Marsinach Ortega and sophomore Lauryn Lucero with four goals apiece. Ortega dished out a pair of assists and Lucero distributed one.
 
Pacific recorded 12 assists on 19 goals. Freshmen Eleni Ikonomou tallied three assists to go along with two goals, while freshman Sophie Pethers registered two assists and a hat trick. Junior Ella Cowan notched two goals and two assists.
 
In net, junior Maja Lizy Dulic blocked five saves and posted a .455 save percentage in three quarters. Sophomore Laurel Cooper played the fourth quarter and finished with a save and a steal.
 
Junior Noemi Alaksza put the Tigers on the board, and a goal by junior Alicia Petkov upped it to 5-1 at the end of the first. A score by freshman Maria Ikonomou near the end of the second quarter increased it to 11-4 at the intermission.
 
Pacific's largest lead was 11 goals after junior Lily Van Putten made it 16-5 with 4:17 remaining in the third. A goal by Pethers at the 5:45 mark in the fourth kept the Tigers in front 17-7.
 
It was Pacific's fourth win in a row. The Tigers improved to 18-1 all-time against Azusa Pacific.
 
Pacific remains on the road Sunday for a 1 p.m. conference match-up against No. 19 San Diego State at the Aztec Aquaplex. The next home game is Saturday, March 7 against UC Davis at 5 p.m. at the Eberhardt Aquatics Center.
 
Tigers Tickets
Tickets for upcoming events can be purchased through the PacificTigers.com tickets tab, or by calling the Box Office at 209-946-2474.  Groups of 10 or more are eligible for a group discount and exclusive fan experiences.

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For all the latest on Pacific women's water polo, be sure to follow the team on X (@UOPWaterPoloU), Instagram (@pacificwaterpolo) and "like" the team's official Facebook page (Pacific Women's Water Polo).
 
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