AZUSA, Calif. – Dominican women's soccer fell 1-0 Saturday afternoon to Azusa Pacific in a tightly contested match at Cougar Soccer Field.

Senior goalkeeper Nicole Maler made five saves for the Penguins (2-5-3, 1-3-0 PacWest) while senior Claire Brown led the team with three shots and one on goal. The Cougars (9-4-0, 4-2-0 PacWest) finished the game with 19 shots with six on goal led by Bethan Tee's two shots on frame including the game's lone goal.

Maler fended off an early attempt by Katie Prado punching the header attempt wide of the post to keep the game level in the second minute. Maler also turned aside a Brooke Bern attempt with a leaping save in the 24th minute as she continued her strong play.

Maddy Morrison found some room down the right side as she got into the box and crossed the ball to Bethany Tee at the top of the 18-yard box where Tee put a right-footed shot off the underside of the crossbar and it bounced in for the 1-0 APU lead in the 30th minute. Junior forward Abbie Gould had a great chance at the equalizer seconds before halftime as she crossed up her defender to get loose and sent a shot to the far post, but it hit the post and bounced out.

Sofia Odron had another opportunity to level the game early in the second half as she took a poor pass in the attacking third and had only the keeper to beat, but her shot went high in the 52nd minute. The Cougars had an equally dangerous opportunity as Tee found herself alone with the keeper near the penalty spot, but Maler closed and caused Tee to put the shot wide left in the 56th minute.

Claire Brown had the last opportunity for the Penguins to send the game to extras as she sent a shot from near midfield high over the keeper's hands but it hit the crossbar and bounced out.

Dominican will have a week off as it prepares to take on Hawai'i Pacific on Tuesday, October 26 at noon PDT.