SANTEE, Calif. – The Cal State San Marcos men's soccer team bounced back from its first loss of the season with a 2-0 shutout over San Diego Christian on Saturday morning at Santee Sportsplex.

Danny Guzman and Eddie Guerra scored their first goals as Cougars, Zach Olow assisted on both, and CSUSM improved to 2-1-1 overall heading into conference play. SDCC drops to 4-2.

"It was a really tough game for us today and I'm real proud of our guys for pushing through it," said head coach Ron Pulvers. "We're a little beat up, like any college team right now, but it was great to see these guys bounce back after Thursday's loss with a performance like this."

In the 15^th minute, the Cougars drew a foul in a dangerous position above the box. SDCC keeper Ryan Huerta was able to save Olow's initial crack at goal from the dead ball, but could not push it out of harm's way. Guzman pounced on the rebound and put it into the back of the net to make it 1-0.


The middle third of the game was played tight between the teams on the 61-yard wide field. The cramped quarters caused considerable confrontation, as the teams combined for a total of nine cautions on the day.

The Cougars stamped the Hawks out in the 75^th minute, however. Goalkeeper Landon Sherwood played a long ball that ended up at Olow's feet. The UC Irvine-transfer then slipped it in behind to Guerra, who snuck it past Huerta to make it 2-0.

CSUSM begins California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) play next weekend with two matches at home in The Cougar Den. The Cougars host Cal State San Bernardino on Friday, Sept. 18 before Cal Poly Pomona comes to town on Sunday, Sept. 20.