SAN MARCOS, Calif. – The Cal State San Marcos women's soccer team (9-4-5, 7-4-2 CCAA) fell 2-1 in its regular-season finale against No. 13 Cal Poly Pomona (11-1-6, 8-1-4 CCAA) but was still able to clinch a CCAA Tournament berth on Thursday at The Cage.
GOALS
CSUSM – 35'
Kayla Knoob (Unassisted)
CPP – 36' Morgan Huff (Assisted by Bailey Guerrero)
CPP – 43' Tristan Tessier (Unassisted)
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Following a CSUSM corner kick, Kayla Knoob took a crossing shot from the left edge of the box near the touchline and put the ball into the right corner of the goal to give the Cougars a 1-0 lead in the 35th minute.
- A pass from CPP's Bailey Guerrero made its way to Morgan Huff on the right side before Huff dribbled towards the middle of the box before putting a shot off the center of the crossbar and into the goal to tie the game at 1-1 in the 36th minute.
- On a free kick from the right side, Tristan Tessier put a shot into the center of the goal on a bounce in front of the keeper to give CPP a 2-1 lead in the 43rd minute.
- In the second half, CSUSM put on the pressure with the period's lone two shots on goal but was unable to convert opportunities into goals.
QUICK KICKS
- Despite the loss, CSUSM was able to clinch a CCAA Tournament berth for the first time since 2023 due to a loss by Chico State at Cal Poly Humboldt and will make its fourth appearance overall.
- The Cougars officially ended the regular season in a tie for fifth at 23 points.
- Knoob's goal was her first of the season.
- CSUSM led the game in corner kicks (6-2), but CPP had the edge in shots (6-5) and shots on goal (4-3).
- CPP clinched the regular-season championship with the win and a draw by Cal State LA.
UP NEXT
Entering the CCAA Tournament as the sixth seed, CSUSM will now head to third-seeded Cal State San Bernardino for a first-round match on Sunday at 10 a.m. The winner will advance to Pomona and will face the winner of second-seeded Cal State LA and seventh-seeded Stanislaus State on Thursday, Nov. 5 at 7 p.m.
