AZUSA, Calif. – Dominican women's soccer faced heavy pressure in its defensive third eventually giving up a second half goal in a 1-0 loss to Azusa Pacific on Thursday evening at Cougar Soccer Field.

The Penguins (4-1-4, 2-1-0 PacWest) were led by Angelina Hert's six saves while the Cougars peppered the net with 17 shots and seven on frame.

The first half was largely dominated by the defenses with the only shots on frame coming from APU but each time it was the Dominican defense making it easy on its keeper keeping the attempts from distance with little chance of success.

Victoria Castro sent a dangerous shot from 25-yards out in the 53rd minute as a high shot began to dip towards the crossbar until Hert leapt and pushed the ball over the top of her net to keep the game scoreless. Maylie Salazar took a chance from nearly the same spot two minutes later with the same results as Hert kept her net clean. A failed clear attempt in the 62nd minute fell to the foot of the Cougars' Camila Hernandez who immeadiately chipped the ball towards the back post to take the 1-0 lead.

Dominican was able to get some offensive possession going in the final 15 minutes and Felicity Muro took a shot at the equalizer on a loose ball after a corner kick in the 77th minute but the ball went high. Janae Schwan also took a shot from distance in the 82nd aiming for the right post, but Alexia Muniz made the save. 

Dominican will be back in action Saturday as it takes on Concordia at noon PDT at Golden Eagles Field.