Box Score
SAN MARCOS, Calif. – Cal State San Marcos goalkeeper Amanda Sears poked-in a corner kick by Heather Flores to force overtime and No. 7 Westmont fell victim to an own goal in sudden death as the 17^th-ranked Cougars overtook the Warriors 3-2 on Tuesday afternoon at the Multipurpose Field.
 
Down 2-1 in the 88^th minute, Dani Porter earned a corner kick for the Cougars in a last-ditch effort at goal. In sheer desperation, CSUSM sent its goalkeeper into the Warriors' penalty box to give the team an extra player with the game on the line.
 
The Cougars' tactic was rewarded, as Flores' driven ball bounced around in the mixer. Sears touched the ball into the side netting in the midst of all the confusion.
 
“It was a moment of desperation, no doubt. You see it happen at the highest levels late in the game. You really have nothing to lose and you get everybody forward. Amanda was just able to get a foot on it,” said CSUSM head coach Ron Pulvers.


Fueled by their goalkeeper's unlikely goal, the Cougars were quick to force pressure in the extra period. Porter turned the corner around the left side before playing a hard cross to the top of the six. A Westmont defender misplayed the clearance, sending it off her goalkeeper's shin and into an open net.

“What a roller coaster of a game. I felt like they weren't dangerous in the first half and 1-0 would stand. But, they had us on our heels in the second half,” said Pulvers. “I think this team has a lot of character, a lot of fight and a huge will in them. I really believed we were at least going to get a draw going into overtime. Then, we put them on their heels right away and we got the game-winner.”

CSUSM jumped out to a 1-0 lead 76 seconds into the game on its first corner kick. Vanessa Novella played the ball to the back post and Sarah Hopper rose up to win the header and place it in the top-left corner.
 
Brianne Searl nearly made it 2-0 moments from half. Flores touched a short pass in behind the Warrior defense to Searl, who was one-on-one with the keeper. Searl shot high, but the goalie was equal to it.

Westmont came out recharged in the second frame. Left midfielder Aolani Rueff caused fits for the Cougars along the flank, using her speed and cutback ability to find holes in the CSUSM defense. Jenny Martinez made it 1-1 by putting home a rebound off the crossbar in the 62^nd minute before handing the Warriors the lead 10 minutes later on a shot from 11 yards out.

CSUSM's field players did their best to tie in the waning minutes, as Porter's curling ball to the top right post missed just high and Monica Aguilera had her rocket palmed over the bar by Lindsey Smith.
 
In the end, the goalkeeper picked her teammates up.
 
“I am so excited to be a part of this team, to come in as a goalkeeper and score a goal. It's cool to actually contribute to this team besides just making stops,” said Sears.

CSUSM improves to 4-2-1 on the year. Westmont also stands at 4-2-1.