Ziencina’s Two Goals Spark Playoff Upset over Concordia
10/31/07

In what is unquestionably the biggest win in program history, #6-seeded Cal State San Marcos toppled #3-seeded Concordia on Wednesday.  The 2-1 victory propels the Cougars into the second round of the NAIA’s Region II Playoffs, where they’ll take on #1 Azusa Pacific.

CSUSM, who is now 7-6-4 on the season, were certainly underdogs to Concordia, who finished the regular season ranked 8^th in the nation with a 12-4-1 record, and who soundly defeated this same Cougar squad back in August.

Same on paper, maybe; but the CSUSM team that took the field at Concordia on Wednesday played with worlds more confidence and emotion than when the teams last met.

“Given how young this team is,” commented Head Coach Ron Pulvers, “they showed a lot of experience today.”

The Cougars made it clear from the start that, despite this being their first playoff appearance, they weren’t simply “happy to be there.”  In just the 15^th minute, defender Annica Perez slid a pass to midfielder Taylor Ziencina at the top of the box.  Ziencina worked her way across the box, finding space, and fired a perfect shot from 18 yards out over the keeper’s head and into the back of the net.

With the early 1-0 lead, CSUSM knew they’d have to buckle down on defense to withstand Concordia’s counterattack.  The Cougar back-line of Breanna Brenton, Lauren Hernandez, Michele Ramirez, and Perez was more than up for the task – Concordia, a team that features 3 All-Conference players, did not manage a single shot in the first half. 

“Our defense was fantastic,” noted Pulvers.  “They never gave in.”

The game went into halftime 1-0, but the Cougars nearly added a second goal.  In the 32^nd minute, Ziencina hit a corner kick that found the head of Breanna Brenton, who re-directed it past the keeper.  But the goal would be disallowed on a questionable foul in the box.

As was the theme of the day, however, the setback did not deter this hungry Cougar squad.  When the second half began, not only did the defense continue its strong play, but the offense would strike again. 

In the 52^nd minute, forward Lucia Asbury made a run down the field and into the box, passing off to Ziencina as the lone Concordia defender closed in.  As the pass traveled through the box, Concordia’s defender fell down on top of the ball, resulting in a yellow card and a pentaly kick.  Ziencina was tabbed to take it, and she drilled her shot home, extending the Cougars’ improbable lead to 2-0.

Concordia was quick to respond.  The stunned home crowd was given something to cheer about when, just four minutes after Ziencina’s second goal, the Lancers put together their best offensive rush of the day.  Eventually, an uncharacteristic misplay by Cougar keeper Jane Drury allowed Lancers’ midfielder Natalie Tankersley to knock in an easy goal.

With the score 2-1 in the 58^th minute, the longest 32 minutes of the season began for CSUSM, as they tried to hold onto the tenuous lead despite a now-woken up Concordia squad that smelled blood.

“That goal gave [Concordia] all the momentum,” noted Pulvers.  “They came out and played very direct in the second half.”

But the Cougars would hold on.  The defense never buckled under the pressure of Concordia’s attack, and Drury made two saves to seal the game.  At the final whistle, the large number of CSUSM fans that made the trip celebrated with the team.

“Today’s win wasn’t about just one or two girls,” commented Pulvers.  “It was about the whole team having such a strong will to win.  There were certainly mistakes, but we corrected them, and never lost that will to win.”