CHICO, Calif. – The Cal State San Marcos women's soccer team made history with a 1-1 tie and a win by penalty kicks (5-3) at the University Soccer Stadium in the first round of the 2017 California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) tournament on Tuesday afternoon.
This marks just the first time in CSUSM athletics history that a CSUSM team has advanced and won a CCAA Tournament game. The Cougars will advance to face top-seeded UC San Diego on Friday night in the CCAA semifinals. Kick-off is set for 7 p.m.
The Wildcats scored first with a goal by Erin Woods in the 22nd minute and took a 1-0 lead into halftime. The Cougars found the equalizer in the 59th minute on an absolute rocket off the right foot of sophomore
Jessica Harloe. It was the first collegiate goal for Harloe. The match would remain tied through both overtime periods and would be sent to PK's. CSUSM went a perfect 5-5 shooting while freshman goalkeeper
Yesenia Betancourt made one game-winning save to lift the Cougars to victory over Chico.
CSUSM improves to 8-6-3 overall while Chico concludes conference tournament play at 11-6-1.
Chico struck first on a header by Woods, her team-leading eighth goal of the season on an assist by Jordan Doukakis.
The Cougars went into the half trailing, 1-0, but again came out firing in the second half and found the equalizer on Harloe's goal. The play developed nicely as senior
Kayla Anderson patiently handled the ball inside the box and left a good ball perfectly set up for Harloe to do the rest.
Both teams would remain tied 1-1 as we went into PK's. Senior
Meghan Randig, sophomore
Caitlin Gharibeh, junior
Jessica Moreno, junior
Amy Wilson and Anderson all buried their PK shots to secure the win for CSUSM.
CSUSM out shot the Wildcats, 15-13, forced four saves from goalkeeper Claire Abele and finished tied in corners, 6-6. Anderson finished with four shots to lead the team while putting two on goal.
