After a season that saw its ups and downs and a difficult schedule that provided its share of adversity, Coach Ron Pulvers' men's soccer team persevered to capture their first-ever A.I.I. Conference Championship on Saturday, defeating host school Thomas University 3-1.

The Cougars, now 10-6-1, earn an automatic bid to their first-ever NAIA National Championship.  Thomas' season ends at 12-7.

Not only was the match a tremendous and important win for the program, but it was an outstanding performance by a squad that looked outstanding at both its post-season matches.

"This was arguably the greatest performance by any team I've ever coached," noted Pulvers.  "Our guys were warriors tonight."

A big reason for that is the return of Scott Rice.  After missing a large portion of the season due to injury, the super talented freshman made his mark on Saturday, scoring in the 15^th minute to put his team up 1-0.  The goal was created by one of Alex Rodriguez's trademark long throw-ins into the box, with Rice corralling the ball and finishing the chance.

Rice was at it again in the 28^th minute, this time volleying in an Eric Mueller pass off a corner kick.

Thomas would cut the gap in half before halftime though, scoring in the 42^nd minute to make it 2-1. 

But the Cougars would have an answer, and once again it was Rice.  In the 75^th minute with the outcome still very much in doubt, Rice picked a defender's pocket and finished one-on-one with the keeper, giving CSUSM the 3-1 lead and sealing the conference title.

Keeper Kiki Castro made four saves in net for the Cougars to earn the win.

CSUSM will await its NAIA National Championship Opening Round destination and opponent.