Box Score Box Score
The team's season-long shutout streak may have came to an end, but #10 Cal State San Marcos picked up a quality home victory on Sunday, defeating the University of Texas-Brownsville 2-1.
CSUSM improves to 6-0-1 on the year. UTB drops to 2-2-1.
The Cougars controlled play throughout, utilizing their considerable size advantage to win most 50-50 balls. For a good portion of the match, the Cougar back line quickly and efficiently eliminated any offensive excursions by the Scorpions, and the match was played primarily on the visitors' side of the field.
CSUSM out-shot their opponents 14-9 and held a 7-0 corner kicks advantage for the match.
In the 18th minute, the Cougars broke through with nicely set-up goal. Shelby Bush made a strong run down the right sideline, avoided a defender, and got off a dangerous cross right in front of the net that found Mary Green, who volleyed it in to put CSUSM on top 1-0.
Shortly after halftime, the Cougars would take command with a second. Defender Shannon Cox played a beautiful ball over the top of everyone, and All-Conference forward Shelby Bush ran underneath it past the defense. One-on-one with the keeper, Bush calmly dribbled by the keeper, carefully pushing the ball into the empty net.
The Cougars appeared to have the game well in hand until about the 75th minute, when the back line noticeably tired and started to flatten out. Texas-Brownsville began looking dangerous, and capitalized in the 85th minute when Linette Cuvillier banged home a cross from Isadora Freitas.
That set up a tense final few minutes, with the Cougars holding onto a 2-1 lead. The home team would prevail though, winning by that margin.
Kaycee Gunion made three saves in net to earn the win. The Cougars were playing without all-time leading goal scorer Lauren Johnson, who was injured during the previous match.
CSUSM will get a well-deserved break before taking on tough GSAC opponent Concordia University at home on September 21st.
