Box Score

Cal State San Marcos scored a golden goal with four minutes left in the second overtime to defeat FPU 1-0 and spoil a great defensive effort by the Sunbirds in a non-conference matchup on Wednesday.

Natalie Lara kicked in the game-winner after a large group of players converged in the box, obstructing FPU goalkeeper Sarah King's view for just enough time. The ball was deflected, leading to a point-blank shot that lifted the visiting Cougars (8-4-1) to victory and dropped the Sunbirds to 6-6-1 on the year.

The NAIA #23-ranked Cougars out-shot FPU 24-11 but the Sunbird defense held strong for most of the game behind a fantastic effort from Caressa Archie and Alyssa Nakaguchi among others. CSUSM played a very physical game, causing problems for the Sunbirds in the midfield and on the offensive side of the ball.

"This loss hurts a lot having given away the game in overtime," said head coach Erik Farfan. "We have to find a way to understand that, as a team, we need to quit relying on our defense to get us through games and need our offensive players to start producing on a consistent basis. Unfortunately that is the piece of the puzzle that we are currently missing and we must continue to try and improve that area of our play for us to be successful."

The Sunbirds now turn their attention to conference foe Azusa Pacific, a team that comes in undefeated in PacWest play at 6-0-1. FPU will be looking for its first ever victory over the Cougars, as the Sunbirds are 0-13 all-time against APU.