SAN MARCOS, Calif. – Scott Rice's 10^th-minute volley provided the difference in the No. 23 Cal State San Marcos men's soccer team's 1-0 victory over visiting Westmont College on Tuesday afternoon at Mangrum Soccer Field.

CSUSM earned its first win as a ranked program, but more importantly, tallied its first win after weathering 0-1-2 stretch. The Cougars moved to 6-1-2 overall while the Warriors dropped to 4-2-0.

The Cougars earned a free kick off on the left side and played it into the top of the box. Rice pounced on a weak clearance and one-timed it inside the left-post from 20 yards away.

Zach Sheppard made six saves in goal, none bigger than his quick hands on a point-blank drive from Brandon Talsma early on in the second half. It was his fifth shutout of the season.

A poor clearance off a CSUSM free kick from the left side saw the ball trickle to Rice at the top of the box. He laced a left-footed half-volley inside the right post that saw the Cougars go ahead early on.

The Cougars nearly added another as substitutes Jacob Stolmeier and Alex Jaziri hooked up along the left side.  Jaziri cut inside before curling a shot to the back post, but it was plucked out of the top of the corner by Josh Glover.

Early in the second half, Westmont won a corner that was eventually cleared to the top of the box. Talsma squared up the bouncing ball and rifled a left-footed liner to the lower left corner. Sheppard dove low to his right to deflect it away.

The Cougars spent ample time defending in the middle of the half before Parker Radford came on to give CSUSM a fresh look along the left flank. Moments after his entrance, Parker freed himself outside and whipped an in-swinger to the six. Luka Stevanovic rose to meet it, but his header just cleared the bar.

Two minutes later, Rice played a long ball that found Radford on the left edge of the box. Radford cut inside before playing a clever chip to the penalty spot. Rice crashed the box and slid to flick the ball towards the net, but he was a moment late to the spot.
 
WC provided one last scare in the 89^th minute. Cody Howen worked himself away from his defender along the right edge of the box, but his boot to the back post missed a foot wide-left.

CSUSM leaves tomorrow afternoon for a trip to Salt Lake City, Utah. The Cougars face Rocky Mountain on Saturday before clashing with host Westminster on Sunday.