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Box Score (Women)
Box Score (Men)
On Thursday, the Cougar men’s and women’s
soccer teams packed up and headed to Salt Lake City to play two
games each, the first out-of-state contests in the CSUSM Soccer’s
short history. On Friday, with one game down for each team, the
results are mixed.
Taking on NCAA Division II opponent Mesa State University, the
Cougar women put forth a great effort, playing to a well-earned but
somewhat disappointing tie.
Why disappointing? Because with just 4 seconds left in regulation,
the Cougars held a tenuous 1-0 lead. In the first half, the teams
played each other close, with neither team able to break through.
Mesa State’s possession-oriented style of ball played right into the
Cougars’ hands, given CSUSM’s very talented and disciplined back
line. Redshirt freshman keeper Jane Drury was once again outstanding
as well, as was team captain and midfielder Kelly Wherry.
Midway through the second half, the Cougars would break the
stalemate. Defender Lucia Asbury won the ball, and passed ahead to
Lauryn Maes, who along with Randi Leyva made a run down the field.
With just one defender to beat, Maes slid a pass to Leyva, who
knocked the ball into the side netting to give the Cougars a 1-0
lead in the 70th minute.
Despite Mesa State’s best efforts, it looked like the lead would
hold. But with just four seconds left, they earned a corner kick and
executed it beautifully, finishing with a header past Drury into the
net. The Cougars bounced back for a strong showing in overtime, and
the game ended in a 1-1 tie.
Though the ending was somewhat disappointing, the game is still a
positive sign for the squad, which is now 1-0-1 on the season.
“(Mesa State) is a very good team,” commented Cougar Assistant Coach
Bobby Renneisen. “We played excellent soccer, the result was
well-deserved for both sides. It’s definitely a confidence builder.”
The Cougar men, unfortunately, would not fare as well. In what
looked like one of their more winnable games of the season, the
squad fell 2-1 to Westminster College.
While the Cougars possessed the clear edge in talent, Westminster
won the game with heart. “They outworked us,” said Renneisen
afterwards. “They won every 50-50 ball. We didn’t deserve to win.”
CSUSM got into a 1-0 deficit early in the 13th minute, but would tie
the game in the 23rd. Jose Rivas hit a beautiful free kick into the
box, where Curtis Marcikic headed it past the keeper to tie the
score.
But that would be that big of good news for the Cougar men, as
Westminster would take the lead for good in the 75th minute off a
free kick of their own. The loss drops CSUSM to 0-2 on the season.
Still, the season is very young, and the squad possesses tremendous
talent – it’s just a matter of everyone coming together and giving
full effort.
The teams will be in Salt Lake City through Sunday, with the women
in action tomorrow against Dixie State, and the men taking on
University of Mary on Sunday.
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