It wasn't easy, and it wasn't pretty, but Cal State San Marcos women's soccer is headed to the A.I.I. Championship Game thanks to a 1-0 victory over Simon Fraser Friday night.

The third-seeded Cougars improved to 9-4-4 on the season by upsetting Simon Fraser for the second consecutive season in the conference tournament.  Last year, the Cougars won on a shootout in the championship game.

Midway through this season, there frankly were questions whether CSUSM could win the kind of game that transpired on Friday.  Senior defender Alex Quindt was given a straight red card in the 35th minute of a scoreless match, putting the Cougars down a player for the rest of the contest.  Facing a quality opponent, the Cougars, who only a month ago had a 3-4-3 record and have had difficulty scoring goals all season, were tested in a way they hadn't yet been to this point.

But Coach Ron Pulvers' squad would rise to the challenge.  The team buckled down defensively in front of All-American keeper Kaycee Gunion, playing physical and disciplined soccer to stifle Simon Fraser again and again.

And in the 55th minute, it would be a defender, Breanna Brenton, who provided the game's lone goal.  Lucia Asbury drove a free kick from midfield, and the Simon Fraser keeper was able to stop it but not corral it.  Brenton got to the ball first, and drove it into the back of the net.

CSUSM would hold strong for the final long 35 minutes of the match, as the Cougars pulled off the upset victory.

"It was the team's best effort of the season," said Coach Pulvers.  "Tonight was an incredible, spirited, and physical performance."

CSUSM will face an even tougher test tomorrow night, as they square off against top seed Ohio Dominican in the championship game to determine who gets the conference's automatic bid.