Box Score Taylor Ziencina scored two late goals as Cougar women's soccer defeated Hope International 2-0 in the first game of the Master's College Tournament in Santa Clarita.
CSUSM is now 2-1 on the season. Hope International falls to 1-1.
Coming off a very tightly-played 1-0 double-overtime loss at Cal State Dominguez-Hills, the Cougars showed no ill effects on Friday while playing their traditional brand of physical soccer that so often wears down opponents. The Cougars out-shot Hope International 9-5 and held a 10-2 corner kick advantage.
The CSUSM offense would finally break through with less than 15 minutes left in regulation. In the 77th minute, a corner kick led to Ziencina's first goal of the match. Just a few minutes later in the 82nd minute, she'd finish a one-on-one opportunity to stretch the lead to 2-0.
Ziencina has now scored three of the Cougars' four goals on the season. All-American Kaycee Gunion earned her first shutout of the year by stopping two shots.
CSUSM will finish up play at the Master's College Tournament tomorrow when they play the host school at 3:00 PM.
