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Box Score
The Cougar women’s soccer team kicked off their
2007 in convincing fashion on Monday, posting a 2-0 win over Fresno
Pacific.
With a starting lineup that featured a whopping 6 new faces, Ron
Pulvers’ CSUSM squad looked fantastic for all 90 minutes,
controlling play throughout. Perhaps the most startling difference
from last season was the hustle and fire the Cougar woman played
with. CSUSM seemed to control every loose ball, win every challenge,
and make all the big plays when it mattered.
“It was a terrific, terrific effort,” remarked Pulvers. “We’re much
more athletic than last year, which allows us to do a lot more
things. Our fight was great.”
While the Cougars dictated the flow of the game, their offense would
come off dead ball situations. In the 24th minute, newcomer Ashley
Fugelsang notched her first goal in Cougar blue off a free kick from
just outside the box. Fugelsang struck a gorgeous ball that dropped
just over the keeper’s outstretched arms and into the net.
CSUSM’s second goal would come off another free kick. From midfield,
defender Lucia Asbury drilled a ball into the box, where Clarissa
Hidalgo got a clean header off, knocking it into the back of the
net. For Hidalgo, she appears to be continuing in her role as a
lethal scorer off the bench – a role in which she co-led the team in
scoring last season.
While the offense got the job done, the Cougar defense was simply
spectacular. The midfield and back line played outstanding from
start to finish, with Asbury in particular playing a near-flawless
game. Newcomers Breanna Brenton and Lauryn Maes appeared to fit
right in with returning starters Asbury and team captain Annica
Perez on the back line, as the group let very little get past.
And when Fresno Pacific did break through, keeper Jane Drury was
there to slam the door shut. The redshirt freshman keeper lived up
to her considerable hype, saving all 7 shots she faced en route to
earning her first shutout and first victory as a Cougar. She made a
particularly good sprawling save on a near-breakaway late in the
game to preserve the shutout.
Though the victory is sweet, the Cougar women won’t have long to
savor it. They’re off to Utah to play in a tournament this week, and
won’t play their next home game until September 13th. |
