CCAA HOME OPENER

• The Cougars will play their second consecutive game against a ranked opponent when No. 13 Sonoma State makes its way to The Cage on Friday.
• CSUSM last played two consecutive games against ranked opponents in 2018 when it faced No. 24 Sonoma State and No. 1 UC San Diego.
• Friday will mark the first game between CSUSM and SSU since 2018 as the 2019 game was cancelled due to the threat of wildfires in Northern California.
• The Cougars are winless and scoreless in their three games against the Seawolves and are 0-2 against SSU at The Cage.
• SSU has been ranked in all prior meetings against CSUSM.
• The Seawolves come into Friday’s matchup on a four-game winning streak after starting CCAA play with a pair of 1-0 wins over Cal Poly Pomona and Cal State LA last weekend.
• Molly Murphy is SSU’s top offensive player with a team-leading four goals and 11 points to go along with three assists.
• The Seawolves’ goals-against average of .365 ranks ninth nationally.
• SSU has the second-best scoring offense in the CCAA at 2.25 goals per game, ranking 40th nationally.
• A win against SSU would be CSUSM’s first victory over a ranked opponent since taking down No. 1 UC San Diego in 2018.
• The Seawolves were picked as the top team in the league in the 2021 CCAA Preseason Coaches Poll.

ENDING THE WEEKEND AGAINST THE GATORS

• CSUSM is 2-3-2 against SFSU in the all-time series and is 1-1-1 when playing in San Marcos.
• In the Cougars’ last game against the Gators in 2019, CSUSM came out on top with a 2-1 victory at The Cage.
• Last weekend, SFSU began CCAA play with a 0-0 tie against Cal State LA before chalking up a 2-1 victory against Cal Poly Pomona.
• Katelyn Harper and Daesha Harper have led the Gators’ offense so far with three points each.
• At .67 goals per game, SFSU’s scoring offense ranks 11th in the CCAA and 218th nationally.
• The Gators’ save percentage also ranks 11th in the league and 225th in Division II.
• SFSU’s best national stat ranking is its goals against average of 1.409 that ranks 150th, but its only good enough for 10th in the CCAA.
• A win against SFSU would give CSUSM its first winning streak against the Gators in the all-time series.
• The Gators were picked to finish last in the 2021 CCAA Preseason Coaches Poll.

COUGAR OUTLOOK

• CSUSM has 12 returners from its 2019 squad, including Hannah Arcala who tallied one goal and a team-leading 28 shots.
• With 2020 and 2021 newcomers combined, the Cougars have 16 players wearing a CSUSM uniform on the field for the first time.
• The Cougars tied for eighth in the 2021 CCAA Women’s Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll with Cal State Monterey Bay and Humboldt State.