Box Score Cougar women's soccer turned in one of its finer efforts of the season on Friday, defeating Cal Poly Pomona handily, 3-1.

The win moves the #12-ranked Cougars to 10-2-2 on the year.

Playing under the new scoreboard down at Mangrum Track & Soccer Field, CSUSM came out looking spirited and generating plenty of offensive chances. Senior forward Katelyn Krauss and freshman forward Lauren Johnson were dynamic up front, creating mismatches and keeping the pressure on. After Krauss had a goal nullified due to offsides in the 15th minute, she came right back on a virtually identical play and cashed in during the 24th. Johnson fed Krauss the ball at the far top corner of the box, and Krauss drove a beautiful shot into the near side netting for her team-leading 7th goal on the year.

CSUSM would expand its lead early in the second half. After a scramble in front of the CPP net and a couple blocked shots, Johnson was finally able to get off a clean one that beat the keeper to the corner.

But with the game seemingly well-in-hand, things got a little bit dicey late. Pomona's Cody McClure was taken down in the box in the 78th minute, and Britany Garrett finished off the resulting PK, making it a 2-1 game. But the Cougars would prevail, with super sub Taylor Schurman capping off the win with a goal off a loose ball in the 82nd minute. Coach Ron Pulvers' club held on for the 3-1 win.

“We played quite well,” noted Pulvers. “We're gearing up for the post-season and stepping up our play.”

The Cougars will be at home once again this Sunday to take on San Bernardino.