ORANGE BEACH, Ala. – The No. 15 Cal State San Marcos women's soccer team fell to No. 2 Concordia (Ore.), 1-0, in the NAIA National Championship Second Round on Monday night at the Orange Beach Sports Complex.
CSUSM wraps up its season with an 11-3-5 overall mark. The Cougars came into the match unbeaten in their last 13 contests and they had not given up a goal since Oct. 16.
Concordia (18-1-2), the defending NAIA national champion, advances to face No. 8 Northwestern Ohio in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.
Jasmin Ayala provided the game's only goal in the 68
th minute, taking a long range shot off a short corner from the left side that bent inside the far post.
The Cavaliers outshot the Cougars 13-6, 9-2 in the second stanza, and forced six saves from CSUSM keeper
Amanda Sears.
CSUSM came out of the gate hot, and spent much of the first ten minutes of the match in the CU end. A.I.I. Player of the Year
Paulina Good forced a save by Olivia Brock seven minutes in and
Brooke Carter's long-range attempt was blocked before it could get to Brock.
Courtney Kay had a legitimate look midway through the half, hitting a one-time volley from the top of the box that forced a tough save by Brock.
The Cougars came out in the second stanza much like the first, earning a quick corner before
Sarah Campbell's cross to
Amy Alber nearly caused a fit for the CU back line.
Monica Aguilera was played in above the right edge of the box, but her shot narrowly missed the left post.
The game moved end-to-end midway through the second half and the Cavaliers gained some momentum by creating some space in-between the CSUSM defense. Erin Huisingh, who looked dangerous along the left flank all night long, earned a corner kick after attempting to beat
Brianne Searl one-on-one.
She played a short corner to Ayala, who took three dribbles toward the left edge of CSUSM's area. The defenders were slow to close down on Ayala, and the CU midfielder curled a shot from 25 yards out inside the left post.
From there, CU held onto the ball and was content to keep it in the Cougar end.
The loss was CSUSM's first since dropping a 3-0 decision to Concordia (Calif.) on Sept. 17.
