Cougars break through for first conference win of 2019
Photo courtesy of CSUSM Athletics
Jessica Harloe takes a corner kick.
At Sept. 29’s game, CSUSM women’s soccer had an overall record of (1-3-2) and were still looking for their first CCAA Conference win of the 2019 season. While the season is still young, a win had the potential to change the season outlook and with a game slotted against Cal State East Bay (a CCAA team), the Cougars aimed to take advantage.
The women’s team started the game strong in a slow-going opening half. They registered two shot attempts compared to the efforts of Cal State East Bay resulting in zero shot attempts. The first half came to an end as the score was still 0 – 0 with most of the play occurring in East Bay’s defensive zone.
As the second half began, the intensity ramped up. Play on both sides of the ball picked up and the stats showed it. The Cougars were able to create multiple scoring opportunities including eight shot attempts in the second half alone. Cal State East Bay responded, notching 3 shot attempts with two of them on goal. The score remained 0 – 0 as regulation came to an end
however the Cougars looked dominant throughout the game.. Overtime lasted five minutes as CSUSM senior Jessica Harloe scored the golden goal in the 95th minute to end game. This would be the Cougars first OT win of the season as well as their first since their last season win
against Western Oregon.
With Sunday’s game in the books, the Cougars earned a much needed win to improve their overall record to (2-3-2) and post their first conference win of the 2019 season. In the past two seasons that the Cougars have been full members in the NCAA division II, their best season finish was (8-7-3) overall. This season, they’re just behind that pace but with Sunday’s win, the
Cougars are taking steps in the right direction and look to best their previous 2017 season record.
The Cougars went on to win their next game Oct. 4 against Cal State San Bernardino in another OT effort 1-0. Once again, CSUSM attempted more shots (15-6) than their opponent. The Cougars improved their record to (3-3-2) and will play Cal Poly Pomona Oct. 6 in San Marcos at The Cage.