Box Score
SAN MARCOS, Calif. - The top-seeded Cal State San Marcos women's soccer team downed fourth-seeded University of Houston-Victoria 2-0 in the semifinals of the Association of Independent Instituitions (A.I.I.) Conference Tournament on Friday at Mangrum Soccer Field.

The Cougars (11-4-3) advance to face second-seeded Ashford (Iowa) at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday after the Saints beat third-seeded Jamestown (N.D.) 2-0 in the opposite semifinal.

Shelby Bush scored in the 64th minute and Jessica Wilds added the insurance in the 85th off a corner kick from Kaleigh Dodson.

“I thought we played pretty well touch line to touch line and end line to end line. Finishing plagued us a little bit. We need to do a better job in front of the goal,” said CSUSM head coach Ron Pulvers.

The Cougars struggled to find the net in the first half, but weren't lacking in the chances department.

Kelsey Gunion headed a ball over the bar from inside the six and Wilds' shot from the edge of the box was parried off the crossbar by Jennifer Sanchez.

Gunion hit the crossbar in the 18^th minute before Bush tagged it again on an open shot inside the box in the 30^th.

“We went into the half 0-0 despite having numerous opportunities to get a goal. If you let a team stay in it, it gives them the chance to take the game,” said Pulvers.

The Cougars pushed forward out of the break, nearly breaking the seal when Dodson headed Wilds' flick off a throw-in.

The goal would finally come in the 64^th, as CSUSM capitalized off a free kick from 40 yards out. Brianne Searl played it to the back edge of the box before Wilds headed it back across to Jacqueline Lara. She deflected it to the left side of the six, where Bush pounded it into the top of the net to make it 1-0.

CSUSM earned five corner kicks within a five-minute span and eventually made it count five minutes from full time. Dodson played an in-swinger from the left side where Wilds rose to put it past Sanchez.

“Nonetheless, it's a good result. Survive and advance this time of the year. We're on to the final to defend our title and win some hardware,” said Pulvers.

The Cougars are seeking their fourth A.I.I. championship in the last five seasons when they take on the Saints tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. CSUSM downed Ashford at Mangrum Field 3-0 on Oct. 12.

UHV finishes the year at 7-11 overall.