IRVINE, Calif. – The Cal State San Marcos men's soccer team upset No. 10 Concordia (Calif.), 3-2, behind a pair of scores from
Alex Jaziri and a pair assists from
Angel Mora on Wednesday afternoon at CU Soccer Field.
The victory ended a two game skid for the Cougars (5-2), who had dropped a pair of matches following a 4-0 start to the season. In the process, CSUSM beat its second-ever top-10 team and defeated its highest-ranked opponent since 2008.
Jaziri's half-volley put the Cougars ahead 2-1 at the break, but CUI (4-2) pulled even for the second time in the 57
th on a strike from Edgar Orozco.
However, the Eagles could not match Jaziri's game-winner in the 76
th. Mora threaded a ball in behind for Jaziri. The midfielder cut back to his left foot before cracking it off the crossbar and straight down behind the line.
"We got a lot of our workman quality back in this game, but we have a long way to go. I thought our guys in transition were good and our front guys were effective and a bit sharper," said CSUSM head coach
Ron Pulvers. "It was a better effort certainly from our guys."
Mason Grimes scored the game's first goal when he headed in Mora's corner in the 23
rd.
Jesus Garcia found the net in the 31
st, but another dangerous corner helped the Cougars take the edge at the half.
Diego Fontes looped a ball for
Erik Mueller at the back post. He flicked it back to Jaziri, who hit it on a bounce into the back of the net.
Zach Sheppard made five saves in net for CSUSM.
The Cougars will play Biola and Rocky Mountain on Saturday and Sunday, respectively, at CSUSM's Multipurpose Field.