SEASIDE, Calif. – Champions at last! The second-seeded Cal State San Marcos women's soccer team (11-2-6) won its first CCAA Tournament Championship with a 1-0 victory over top-seeded Cal Poly Pomona (11-5-3) on Sunday at Cardinale Stadium on the campus of Cal State Monterey Bay.
 
GOALS
CSUSM – 18' Nani Kia'aina (Assisted by Diana Mendoza)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• After Mendoza intercepted a CPP pass at midfield, she made a pass up to Kia'aina at the top of the box. Kia'aina dribbled to the top right area of the box and sailed a shot into the top right corner of the goal to give CSUSM a 1-0 lead in the 18th minute.
• After 45 minutes, the Cougars still had a 1-0 lead for the game despite CPP outshooting CSUSM at 5-2 while putting two shots on goal.
• The Cougars kept the Broncos at bay in the second half, allowing just one CPP shot on goal in the 52nd minute.

 
QUICK KICKS

• Natalia Huntington, Allison Marcure, Claire Hernandez, Natalie Paulson and Nani Kia'aina were named to the CCAA All-Tournament Team. Paulson was named the Most Valuable Defensive Player of the tournament while Kia'aina was named the Most Valuable Offensive Player.
• CSUSM improved its unbeaten streak to 14 games, setting a new program record.
• The Cougars earned their 13th shutout of the season.
• Marcure tallied her 11th shutout while in goal this season, tying for the second most in program history. She also earned her 11th win of the year as the Cougars' keeper, ranking third in team history.
• Kia'aina's goal was her third of the season while Mendoza posted her first assist.
• The Broncos outshot the Cougars 8-7 while both teams put three shots on goal.
• CPP had one more corner kick than CSUSM at 3-2.
• The Cougars made the most of their possessions despite only controlling the ball for 42% of the game. 56% of CSUSM's possessions occurred in CPP territory.
• CSUSM went 2-0 against CPP this season, earning two 1-0 victories.
• This was the first-ever meeting between the Cougars and Broncos on a neutral field.

 


UP NEXT
The Cougars' victory secured the CCAA's automatic bid to the 2023 NCAA Tournament. They'll see who, when and where they're playing on the NCAA Selection Show occurring on Monday at 3:30 p.m. (PT) on NCAA.com.