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Box Score
Facing a tough early-season
test, the Cougar women got a passing grade on Friday, defeating NCAA
Division II opponent Cal State Los Angeles 1-0.
CSUSM is now 2-0 on the year.
The Cougars played 90 minutes of physical soccer to secure the
victory. Neither team generated consistent chances, with legitimate
scoring opportunities coming few and far between. A scoreless tie at
halftime, the contest went well into the second half with neither
team getting on the board.
But in the 74th minute, the Cougars would break through. CSUSM
earned a corner kick, and Taylor Ziencina struck a beautiful ball
into the box. Lauryn Maes, who came off the bench just 15 minutes
earlier, went up and got a clean header off. The ball sailed past
the keeper into the corner of the net, giving CSUSM the lead.
CSULA turned up the heat a little late in the contest, but the
Cougars held strong during the final two minutes to get the win.
While not the prettiest or most convincing of victories, Coach Ron
Pulvers will take it.
“I was a bit disappointed with our lack of enthusiasm,” commented
Pulvers. “But we were able to capitalize and come away with the
result. Good teams win even when they don’t play to the best of
their capabilities, and that’s what we did today.”
Still, the Cougars will have to step it up for their next two games:
home against Stanislaus on Sunday, and at UCSD on the third.
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