Glendale, Ariz.- The Arizona Christian University Firestorm battled tough but ultimately fell 40-20 to No. 4 Baker University in their home opener Saturday evening in Glendale.

Despite the final score, Arizona Christian showed resilience against one of the NAIA's top-ranked programs, trading scores in the middle quarters and keeping pressure on the Wildcats' high-powered offense.

Baker struck first with two opening-quarter touchdowns to build a 14-0 lead. Quarterback Tara Llorente orchestrated both scoring drives, using her arm and legs to put the Firestorm defense on its heels early.

Arizona Christian responded in the second quarter behind quarterback CC Maccagnano. After a steady drive that featured multiple completions to Aleena Tobar and Mikayla Navarro, Maccagnano connected with Navarro on a 10-yard touchdown pass on fourth down to cut the deficit to 14-7.

Baker answered quickly, stretching the lead to 21-7 before halftime.

In the third quarter, the Wildcats capitalized on a big-play drive capped by a Llorente rushing touchdown to go ahead 27-7. The Firestorm refused to back down.
Maccagnano engineered an 11-play, 66-yard drive late in the quarter, finding Navarro again for an 8-yard touchdown to pull within 27-14 entering the final period.

Early in the fourth, Arizona Christian trimmed the margin to 27-14 after another efficient scoring march, but Baker's depth and explosiveness proved decisive. The Wildcats added two more touchdowns in the final six minutes to extend the lead to 40-14.

The Firestorm closed the game with a late touchdown as time expired to account for the 40-20 final.

Maccagnano finished 27-of-43 passing for 248 yards and two touchdowns, spreading the ball among seven receivers. Navarro led the way with nine receptions for 71 yards and two scores, while Tobar added seven catches for 57 yards. On the ground, Seylah Childress paced the rushing attack with 35 yards and a touchdown.
Baker's Llorente delivered an efficient performance, completing 22-of-31 passes for 270 yards and two touchdowns while adding three rushing scores.

Defensively, Jaidah Griego led Arizona Christian with five total tackles, and Bella Huguez recorded a tackle for loss.

Arizona Christian totaled 303 yards of offense (versus 325 for the Wildcats) and matched Baker with 55 rushing yards.

Head Coach Michael Maccagnano stated, "I'm beyond proud of this team. The effort we showed tonight showed we are moving in the right direction.  For us to bring in such a prestigious opponent on our historic home opener shows the confidence and commitment I have in this team and what we do and who we do it for! God has blessed this team and we will continue to work hard for HIS glory!"

Up Next
On Saturday afternoon, the Firestorm will head to Mesa for their first GSAC action against Benedictine Mesa.  The teams will square off at Dobson High School at 3:00 pm.