Box Score Box Score
Coming off a huge win at #12 Master's College and with homecoming on the horizon, Cal State San Marcos women's soccer faced what could be considered a classic “trap game” on Tuesday at home against San Diego Christian.
But CSUSM prevailed over their local rivals, taking the match with relative ease 2-0.
CSUSM, the newly-ranked #7 team in the NAIA (up two spots from last week), improves to 8-1-1 on the year. SDCC drops to 4-4.
Through the first half, it looked as though some worry might be warranted, as the teams played to a sleepy scoreless draw. One major bright spot was forward Lauren Johnson, the Cougars' all-time leading goal scorer who looked very strong in her time on the pitch.
And once the second half started, the Cougars would round into form, with Johnson leading the way. In the 52nd minute, a loose ball following a scramble at the top of the box came to Johnson, who buried it in the corner of the net to put CSUSM up 1-0.
A handball in the box in the 64th minute gave Johnson another shot, and she once again delivered, this time on a penalty kick. The insurance goal would prove valuable, as San Diego Christian threatened late but could not break the stalwart Cougar defense or All-American keeper Kaycee Gunion, who made 1 save to earn the shutout.
Homecoming at CSUSM is next Saturday, October 1st, with the women's soccer team opening the festivities with their match against Bethesda at 12:00 PM.
