Box Score Facing the team that eliminated them from the NAIA National Championships last season, Cal State San Marcos women's soccer went on the road and played #12-ranked Vanguard University to a 1-1 tie on Tuesday.
The #14-ranked Cougars are now 1-0-1 on the young season. Vanguard is 1-0-1 as well.
For this year's CSUSM team it was the first true test of the fall, and the squad took advantage of the opportunity to demonstrate the toughness and resilience that has been the trademark of the squad the last couple seasons.
After a scoreless and defense-oriented first half, Vanguard took the game's first lead in the 54th minute on a give-and-go that was finished off by Ivana Mendez, who beat CSUSM All-American keeper Kaycee Gunion.
Facing a 1-0 deficit to a top-15 team with the clock winding down, the Cougars were unfazed. In the 71st minute, senior midfielder Taylor Ziencina hit a corner kick into the box and found Shelby Bush, who finished with a header into the back of the net.
It's the second time in as many games that a Ziencina corner kick has produced a goal.
CSUSM almost capitalized on the momentum to win it in regulation, but the would-be winner was ruled offside. Neither team was able to net one in extra time, and the 1-1 tie persisted until the final whistle.
For Head Coach Ron Pulvers, Tuesday's effort answers many of the questions raised during the team's uninspired win in the season opener.
"We were a much different team tonight," noted Pulvers. "There was a real commitment and belief from the team."
CSUSM will next be traveling to Arizona to play a pair of games on September 3rd and 4th.
