Less than 24 hours after a grueling match at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, #12-ranked CSUSM women's soccer was back at home on Sunday, defeating Hastings 1-0.

#12 CSUSM improves to 4-1-2 this season.  Hastings (Nebraska) falls to 1-4.

Despite the short turnaround time, the Cougars for the most part looked sharp, generating numerous scoring chances and showing flashes of real quality in the open field.  CSUSM out-shot Hastings 22-4 and held a 6-3 advantage in corner kicks.

The game's lone goal came late in the first half.  A nice build-up resulted in Natalya Erbel feeding a pass to Rachel Schulte, who knocked it across the face of the goal to Lauren Johnson.  Johnson expertly controlled the pass, and from the right side of the goal finished with a slicing shot past the keeper into the left-side netting.

That would be all the scoring, as the second half saw the Cougars generate plenty more chances but not quite be able to finish.  Keeper Kaycee Gunion was rock solid as usual in net, making a pair of saves and consistently making the right decisions.

Cougar women's soccer will face a big test this Wednesday at home against Point Loma.  Kickoff is at 3 PM.