SAN MARCOS, Calif. – A first-half goal was the difference as the Cal State San Marcos men's soccer team (5-4-2, 2-1-1 CCAA) fell 1-0 to No. 19 Cal State LA (8-1-1, 3-1-0 CCAA) on Sunday afternoon at The Cage.
 
GOALS
LA – 37' Oliver Diaz (Assisted by Steve Perez)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Just entering the 37th minute of play, an LA free kick by Perez from near midfield by the CSUSM bench took one bounce in the box before Diaz put the ball into the right side of the net from six yards out for the game's lone goal.
• The Cougars ended the first half with a 6-4 lead in shots while also having the advantage in shots on goal at 5-2. Ryan Meinardus led the half with three shots while putting two on goal.
• In the second half, CSUSM put up seven shots while holding LA to none, but the Cougars were never able to put a shot on goal.

 
QUICK KICKS

• CSUSM led the game in shots (13-4) and corner kicks (6-0).
• Aaron Alvarez took a game-high four shots for the Cougars.
• CSUSM held possession for 57% of the game.
• A total of 20 fouls and six yellow cards were assessed.
• This was CSUSM's fifth consecutive loss to LA – four of which have been by a score 1-0.
• Of the Cougars' 11 games this season, they've held their opponents to one goal or less in eight of them.
• CSUSM ends the weekend tied for fifth in the CCAA standings with seven points.

 
UP NEXT
CSUSM will take a one-game road trip up to No. 15 Cal State Monterey Bay (7-2-2, 3-1-0 CCAA) for a 7 p.m. matchup on Thursday.