STOCKTON, Calif. -- No. 23 Pacific (12-8, 5-1) jumped out an early lead and never trailed to hold off Azusa Pacific (14-13, 2-4), 13-12, in another thrilling Golden Coast Conference matchup Thursday night. After Pacific's early 3-1 lead, both teams exchanged goals, leading to an exciting finish.

Pacific's Dora Alaksza led all teams with five goals while Hila Futorian had an eight-point game with three goals and five assists. 

The Cougars made a strong offensive push, with standout performances from Audrey Dexter and Laia Marsinach Ortega, each contributing significantly to the scoreboard. Dexter netted three goals, while Ortega added two, helping APU to maintain pressure throughout the game. They would tie the game at 8-8 and 9-9, erasing several two-goal deficits in the process.

With the game tied at 9-9, Pacific scored three straight - on goals from Ella Cowan, Futorian and Natalie Johnston to take their largest lead of the game at 12-9. The Cougars fought back and Jaeden Johnson's goal with 1:29 to play cut the lead to 13-12. 

APU’s goalkeeper Daniela Herrero Miralles recorded 10 saves, while Pacific’s Maja Lizy Dulic made nine saves, including two in the final minute to preserve the one-goal win.