Box Score In Wednesday's battle between two of the NAIA's top-10 teams, visiting #6 Concordia (Irvine) handed #9 Cal State San Marcos its first loss of the 2011 season, 1-0.

Concordia improves to 8-1 on the year.  CSUSM drops to 6-1-1.

It was not the Cougars' sharpest game of the season, and anything less than an A+ effort is not going to get it done against a side with the quality of Concordia.  Still, the teams appeared evenly matched, with both sides generating enough chances to win the match.  CSUSM held a slight 10-9 lead in shots and 4-3 lead in corner kicks.

The Cougars came out looking the more lively side, but about midway through the first half the visiting Eagles went on the offensive, generating multiple chances in the span of a few minutes.  Much of the damage was done by forward Bri Lopez, who on multiple occasions was able to weave through the usually impenetrable CSUSM back line.

With possession about even, much of Concordia's attack involved playing balls from its defensive zone out to Lopez, allowing her space to work.  With 10 minutes left in a scoreless match, the strategy would finally break down the Cougar defense.  On a counter run, Lopez bounded down the near side of the field, drawing the lone CSUSM defender out to her.  She hit a cross to the middle, finding Loren Kortizija all alone in front of the net.  Kortizija took her time, but ultimately slid the ball under Cougar keeper Kaycee Gunion for the game's lone goal.

Gunion made 5 saves in the loss.  Lauren Johnson led CSUSM with a pair of shots on goal.

The Cougars will look to get back on the winning track on the road at a very tough Master's College team this Saturday.