AZUSA, Calif. – The Fresno Pacific women's soccer team came up short on Thursday night, falling 2-0 on the road against Azusa Pacific in PacWest Conference action. 
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Azusa Pacific 2, Fresno Pacific 0
Records: FPU (3-9-1, 3-3-0 PacWest), APU (4-7-1, 4-1-1 PacWest)
All-Time Series: APU leads 18-1 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
• Defense prevailed for the first 76 minutes of the game, but the Cougars were able to break through with a late score to take the lead.   
• APU struck again five minutes later, giving the Brick and Black all the insurance they would need to pick up their fourth PacWest win.
 
SCORING: 
• (76:52) Christine Messner connected on a free kick from 30 yards out for her second score of the season.
• (81:26) Kaylee Nicoll passed to Kennedy Christie from the left wing, and Christie followed with a shot from close range that padded the APU lead.
 
STATS FROM THE GAME:
• Fresno Pacific claimed a narrow 15-14 edge in shots, but the Cougars outshot their guest 7-5 in shots on frame.
• Alex Benevidez hauled in five saves for the Sunbirds, while APU's Tatum French recorded five of her own en route to her second shutout of the year.  
• The Cougars took two of the game's three corner kicks.
 
BEYOND THE BOX:
• The Sunbirds have never won a road game against Azusa Pacific.
• Benevidez has collected five or more saves four times this fall.
 
SOCIAL:
• Twitter - @fpusunbirds | Instagram - @fpusunbirds | Facebook - /FPUathletics  
 
UP NEXT:
• The Sunbirds return to the pitch on Saturday, when they take on longtime foe Biola in La Mirada. Opening whistle is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. from Al Barbour Field.