Soccer Teams Prepare for Season with Scrimmages Against Cal State Dominguez Hills
August 21, 2006

In their first scrimmage, Cal State San Marcos' inaugural women's and men's soccer teams lost to Cal State Dominguez-Hills 2-0 and 3-2, respectively.

Though both teams were defeated in their match, they provided plenty of positives for the coaching staff to focus on. Head Coach Ron Pulvers was particularly impressed with the women's squad, who was only down 1-0 for most of the match, before giving up a goal in the 90th minute. The team showed worlds of potential in the loss, and Coach Pulvers believes that as the Cougar women continue to grow into the system and improve their

fitness, they'll start winning games like Sunday's.

"Physically, we matched up well with them," says Pulvers. "We're playing in a system that's unfamiliar to a lot of the girls right now. We will be very good."

The men's squad encountered a different set of problems, often looking mentally and physically overmatched against a very accomplished Dominguez-Hills team. Early confusion by the Cougars led to the first goal being let in only a few minutes into the match; but the team settled down, equalizing right before the half with a goal by defender and Notre Dame transfer Ben Crouse.

Dominguez Hills struck back in the second half, pushing the score to 3-1 before the Cougars' Miguel Jacobo tallied the final goal of the match. While the Cougar men appear to be more advanced in learning the system, Coach Pulvers was critical of his team in the loss.

"We weren't tough enough," states Pulvers. "Not enough players were willing to challenge and compete."

Though the team needs to improve its effort, many individual players had strong matches. Pulvers named midfielder Chris Wyatt the Man of the Match for his outstanding play, and defenders Brian Luhrs, Jose Rivas, and Ben Crouse played very well, as did midfielders Chris Dunckel and Miguel Jacobo.

On the women's side, the entire back line of Tasha Stark, Alex Quindt, Jamie Beam, and Annica Perez were excellent, according to Pulvers. Co-captain Miquella Martinez had a solid game from her midfield position, and forwards Lucia Asbury, Randi Leyva, and Clarissa Hidalgo showed signs of being a very dangerous front line.

Both teams will participate in one more scrimmage before their seasons begin on August 22 at Cal Baptist. The first home games will take place on Friday, August 25, against Cal Poly Pomona. The games, to be held at Mangrum Track and Soccer Field, will mark the first ever intercollegiate sporting event held on-campus at CSUSM.

To get the soccer teams started on the right foot, a pep rally will be held that day in Founders' Plaza, right outside the library, to introduce the teams and coaching staff. The festivities start at noon, with the women's soccer match starting at 3:00 PM, and the men kicking off at 5:30 PM.