CLINTON, Iowa – The No. 1-seed Cal State San Marcos women's soccer team made routine work of No. 4-seed University of Houston-Victoria in the Cougars' 3-0 win during the Association of Independent Institutions (A.I.I.) Conference Championship semifinals on Friday morning at Ashford's South Campus Complex.
The Cougars advance to face either No. 2-seed Georgia Gwinnett or No. 3-seed Ashford in Saturday's title match at 11 a.m. PT/1 p.m. CT. CSUSM is looking to defend its 2013 crown and earn its fifth conference championship in program history.
Morgan Simmons handed the Cougars a 1-0 lead just before the break, while
Amy Alber and A.I.I. Player of the Year
Paulina Good added second-half scores. The Cougars improve to 11-2-3 and match the program's longest-ever unbeaten streak of 11, set in 2010.
UHV ends its season with an 8-7-1 mark.
CSUSM looked strong out of the gate, generating three shots and five corner kicks within the first 10 minutes of the contest.
Paulina Good's header was cleared off the line and she had a dangerous one-on-one opportunity pushed wide by UHV goalkeeper Samantha Wooster.
Amanda Sears was twice called into action to keep the Jaguars off the scoresheet, blocking a header from Emily Lupton and a shot from Megan Huerta.
Finally, on CSUSM's 11
th corner of the half, Simmons got on the end of
Brianne Searl's kick to the back post before heading it into the top of the net to make it 1-0 in the 44
th minute. It was Simmons' second goal of her freshman season.
CSUSM created some breathing room in the 59
th.
Monica Aguilera floated a cross to the penalty spot. Alber latched onto it and hit it into the top corner with her left foot for her fourth goal of the year.
Good left no doubt in the 80
th minute, scoring in her fifth straight match off a delivery from
Lauren Rivero. Good now leads the squad with seven goals in her junior campaign.
To watch the A.I.I. championship tilt at game time, visit
CSUSMCougars.com/coverage.