SAN MARCOS, Calif. – The No. 17 Cal State San Marcos women's soccer team responded to a lethargic first half with three second-half scores in a 3-0 victory over visiting Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) on Sunday afternoon at the CSUSM Multipurpose Field.

Morgan Simmons broke the stalemate with her first career goal, Amy Young converted a penalty kick and Amy Alber sealed it as the Cougars won their third consecutive contest and improved to 5-2-1 overall.

"We obviously weren't meeting the standards we needed to meet in order to be successful," said CSUSM head coach Bobby Renneisen. "But we regrouped at halftime and in the second half we were the better team, quite honestly. We were all over them, we scored three goals... it was a much better performance in the second half."

The teams went into the break scoreless, despite both hitting the cross bar and having a couple of good looks at goal. Alber's rocket from the edge of the box hit the woodwork, and the Eagles forced a save off the crossbar by CSUSM goalkeeper Amanda Sears late in the first half.

The second stanza was all CSUSM.

After Monica Aguilera's left-footed volley was pushed out for a corner kick, Simmons rose to meet Brianne Searl's service at the back post to make it 1-0 in the 53^rd minute.

Courtney McLeish nearly added another when she got in behind after a combination with Monica Aguilera, but her shot missed high.

CSUSM made it 2-0 thanks in part to the strong leg of Sears. Her goal kick took a big hop at midfield and bounced over the top, creating a break away for Young. She was pulled down inside the box for a spot kick, which she calmly put past Abby Cuoto.

Alber, who had created nightmares for the ERAU left back with three solid looks at net, was finally rewarded for her diligence. She collided with Cuoto and another ERAU defender at the penalty spot off a cross from Searl, but was able to stay on her feet before slotting home the loose ball.

The Cougars outshot the Eagles 10-0 in the second half.

The Cougars will train this week and play two matches next Saturday and Sunday against Mills College and UC Santa Cruz, respectively.

CSUSM then hosts a five-match homestand to end the regular season, starting October 16 versus Marymount (Calif.).