BOX SCORE

ORANGE BEACH, Ala.—Senior defender Jasmin Ayala (Simi Valley, Calif./Valley Christian H.S.), the returning NAIA National Tournament MVP, made her mark on the offensive end by notching the game-winning score in the 68th minute to lift No. 4-seeded Concordia University to a 1-0 win over Cal State San Marcos in the second round of the NAIA National Championships on Monday.

Taking a corner on the left side from fellow senior Erin Huisingh (Pasco, Wash./Chiawana H.S.), Ayala fired from 20 yards out  and into the opposite corner of the net to beat Cal State San Marcos (11-3-5) goalkeeper Amanda Sears for the lone goal of the game in the defensive slugfest.

The goal was Ayala's fifth of her career.

"They did a good job of relaxing at the half time, understanding the changes we wanted to make and executing the game plan," CU head coach Grant Landy said. "This team has been doing that all year."

With the win, Concordia (18-2-1), the defending NAIA national champions, will advance to the quarterfinals where the Cavaliers will face No. 5-seeded University of Northwestern Ohio on Wednesday, Dec. 3. Opening kickoff against the Racers is set for 1:30 p.m. (CST) at the Orange Beach Sportsplex.

The meeting between will be the first ever matchup between the two teams. Concordia has now advanced to the quarterfinals of the national tournament 12 out of the last 13 seasons and hold a 6-2-3 all-time record in quarterfinal matches.

With shots at a premium, CSU San Marcos created the best opportunity to break the stalemate in the first half of play with a Courtney Kay blast from 15 yards out at the 37:03 mark that was lined directly into the arms of CU keeper Olivia Brock (Olympia, Wash./Olympia H.S.).

"We knew what was coming. CSUSM has a very deliberate style and we got stuck into that in the first half," Landy said. "Historically the first game is the hardest as players are often anxious, but you don't want to play your best soccer in the first game so we will use that as a positive."

Brock went on to collect three saves on the night to preserve the shutout, the team's 13th of the season.

"Playing new teams is one of the fun things about being at the national tournament," Landy said. "From what little I saw today, they were very organized and good on the ball. They are all quality teams at this stage. We will take the momentum from that second half and carry that into Wednesday's match."