AZUSA, Calif. – A second-half penalty kick proved crucial for the Azusa Pacific women's soccer team as it earned a 1-1 draw against Cal State San Marcos Thursday evening inside the Cougar Soccer Complex.

How It Happened: In a physical contest against the defending CCAA Tournament champions, the Cougars were held to only one shot on goal in the opening 45 minutes. Cal State San Marcos had the best opportunity of the first half, as Maddie Williams was forced into a point blank save in the 10th minute off a throw in that bounced into the box. Williams would make three saves in the first half.

Cal State San Marcos was able to strike first on a 2-on-1 situation seven minutes after halftime to take the lead. It was their only shot on goal in the second half.  Just past the hour mark, Azusa Pacific was on the counterattack. A pass up the middle found Faith Crouse, who played a ball out to the right wing for Avery Guiel. Guiel, the reigning PacWest Player of the Week, cut to her left, dribbling into the box and drawing contact just as she crossed the line, earning a penalty kick. Graduate transfer Neyda Martinez stepped up to the spot and beat the keeper to the bottom right corner for her first goal of the season to level the score. While the teams would combine for 13 shots in the second half, the two goals were the only kicks on target over the final 45 minutes as Azusa Pacific remained undefeated on the season.

By the Numbers: Azusa Pacific outshot Cal State San Marcos for the game 14-9, with Martinez accounting for 4 of those 14 shots. Twenty different Cougars played in the contest for Azusa Pacific, with Williams and defender Gianna Ocello playing the full 90 minutes. The result is one that should prove helpful come the regional rankings in November, as Cal State San Marcos was picked to finish second in the CCAA preseason poll. Azusa Pacific remains undefeated against Cal State San Marcos all-time, leading the head-to-head series 4-0-2. The teams had also tied in their most recent outing, a scoreless contest in San Marcos two seasons ago.

Up Next: The Cougars (2-0-1) have one more game against CCAA opposition scheduled for Saturday morning, when they host Cal State East Bay. Kickoff at the Cougar Soccer Complex is scheduled for 11:00 a.m.