SAN MARCOS, Calif. – The Cal State San Marcos men's soccer team enters its first season of California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) competition this week at The Cougar Den.

The Schedule
Match 5
Friday, Sept. 18 – 3 p.m.
Cal State San Bernardino (2-2) at Cal State San Marcos (2-1-1)
San Marcos, Calif. – The Cougar Den
Live Video | Live Stats

Match 6
Sunday, Sept. 20 – 2 p.m.
Cal Poly Pomona (3-0-1) at CSUSM (2-1-1)
San Marcos, Calif. – The Cougar Den
Live Video | Live Stats

CSUSM Men's Soccer
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Track The Cougars
There are now more ways than ever to stay in tune with your favorite CSUSM teams. Email updates, text messages and a weekly department-wide email digest are just a couple ways to stay in the know. For more info, click here.

Tickets
General admission tickets for this weekend are $5 and kids (12 & younger) are $3. For more ticket information, click here. As always, kids 12 & under wearing their youth team jersey will receive free entry.

New Conference
Cal State San Marcos begins life in the 13-team California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) this weekend against Cal State San Bernardino (CSUSB) and Cal Poly Pomona (CPP). The CCAA is made up of 12 CSU institutions and UC San Diego. The CCAA is one of the premier NCAA Division II leagues in the nation. Its teams have won more national championships (153) than any other conference. The Cougars came in tied for 12^th in the 2015 CCAA Preseason Coaches Poll released Aug. 26.

The Week That Was
CSUSM started last week by suffering its first loss of the season, 2-1, to Biola on Thursday night in La Mirada. However, the Cougars bounced back with a thorough 2-0 victory over San Diego Christian on Saturday, powered by goals from Danny Guzman and Eddie Guerra. Zach Olow pitched in assists on both goals. The Cougars improved to 8-0 all-time against the Hawks.

CSUSB Preview
All-time vs. CSUSB: 1-0

Last meeting: W, 1-0 (Oct. 19, 2008); Chris Dunckel's penalty kick with less than 30 seconds to go until the end of the first half lifted the Cougars to victory in the only other meeting between the teams.

CSUSB Breakdown: The Coyotes have traded wins and losses to start 2015, most recently coming off a 3-1 loss at Fresno Pacific. They've put up three or more goals in both of their wins this year (4-2 vs. Azusa Pacific, 3-2 vs. Concordia (Calif.)) and are tied for fourth in the CCAA with eight goals scored. Conversely, CSUSB ranks last in the conference with 10 goals against.
 
CPP Preview
All-time vs. CPP: 1-1-1

Last meeting: T, 0-0 (Oct. 17, 2008); The Cougars and Broncos battled to a scoreless tie in their most recent meeting nearly seven years ago. CSUSM goalkeeper Tashi Nakanishi made a pair of key saves in the second period of overtime to preserve the draw.

CPP Breakdown: The defending CCAA regular season champions have rattled off three consecutive victories since a draw in its season opener. The Broncos were picked to finish runner-up in the CCAA this year and are currently receiving votes in the NCAA Division II NSCAA Coaches Poll. Midfielder Sergi Monso ranks second in the CCAA with nine points and three goals.

Notes
CSUSM's first win as a program came against Cal Poly Pomona on Aug. 25, 2006 at Mangrum Soccer Field … Olow ranks third in the CCAA with three assists … CSUSM goalkeeper Landon Sherwood's .813 save percentage is third-best in the CCAA … Sherwood's 0.81 goals-against average is fifth-lowest … The Cougars have the eighth-best win percentage in the CCAA (.625) heading into conference competition.

The Pulvers File
Head coach Ron Pulvers is in his 20^th season as a men's collegiate head coach and 10^th in charge of CSUSM. Pulvers, who started the CSUSM program from the ground up in 2006, holds a 217-124-28 (.626) career coaching record, including a 91-53-14 (.620) mark at CSUSM.

New Territory
After nine seasons of competition in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), the Cougars enter their first season of NCAA Division II competition in 2015. CSUSM is currently in the second year of a three-year transition to full NCAA Division II membership. As a part of the transition, the Cougars will be ineligible for postseason play in 2015 and 2016.

CSUSM Athletics Social Media
The Cougars are now more "social" than ever… Navigate to the CSUSM Athletics Social Media Directory to connect with your favorite teams, coaches and administrators.

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Snapchat (csusmathletics)