CSUSM men’s club soccer put up a fight against Cal State Long Beach on Oct. 16 at 6pm, ending with CSULB with the win, 3-1.

The Prospectors started with the ball and scored a goal within the first 10 minutes. However, this didn’t discourage the Cougars who quickly regained their bearings and stepped up the defense.

At minute 21 the Prospectors made an unsuccessful shot on goal when Cougars goalie, Jonathon Maldomado made a great save, giving CSUSM the advantage.

The Cougars picked up their energy and moved the ball quickly up field, working the Prospectors defense. This eventually lead to a corner kick by the Cougars, leaving the score tied, 1-1 at the end of the first half.

Cougars started with the ball the second half, but the ball was quickly taken away by the Prospectors who scored another goal again within the first 10 minutes. After the second goal, the Prospectors picked up the pace and gave the Cougars defense some work.

Despite the score, the Cougars held their ground. After a failed shot by the

Prospectors, the goalie sent it right to Nishimwe Valentine who quickly took it up field. He gained a corner kick but was deflected by the Prospectors goalie.

In the last three minutes of the game, the Prospectors scored, ending the game with a score of 3-1.

Despite the score, sophomore Valentine still had something positive to say about the game as well as the team.

“This is our first season in the premier league so I think we are doing good, we just got to get better … It’s a learning experience,” Valentine said.

Freshman goalie Maldomado also had some words of encouragement.

“Overall, I think defense played very hard and they played their hearts out … I think we just need a lot more communication and organization, a lot of practice to keep up with.”

Head Club Soccer Coach Luka Stevanovic said his biggest goal for the season is to claim as many wins as they can and believes working on defense is the way to do it.

“My goal for the rest of the season is to win as many games as we can … to structure and strengthen our defense … that we work from the defense to the midfield and possess the ball in our midfield to the best of our ability.”

The next home game for Men’s Club Soccer is against UC Riverside on Sunday at 12 p.m. on Oct. 23, Mangrum Field.