Marina, Calif. – Marissa Ray provided a spark off the bench for Dominican women's soccer in the second half in a 1-0 victory Saturday afternoon over Cal State Monterey Bay at the Otter Sports Complex.

The Penguins (2-4-0) and Otters (1-2-1) were even in shots with seven each but Dominican placed all seven of its shots on frame compared to five for CSUMB. Ray scored her first goal of the 2023 season and her second as a Penguin, while freshman Rylee Buesing made five saves and has not allowed a goal in her last 146 minutes played. 

Ray entered at the halfway point of the second half and it took 10 minutes for her to break a scoreless tie. After a foul gave Dominican a free kick at midfield, Abigail Estes caught the defense sleeping as she placed a ball into the middle of the box to Ray. With her back to the keeper, Ray chipped a ball over her right shoulder and Aubrey McKessy's head for the 1-0 lead in the 77th minute. 

Dominican looked to add to its lead two minutes later as Melendez fed a ball to Jackie Lancaster in the box but the shot hit the left post. The ricochet landed at the feet of Miranda Gregory who put the ball back on frame but McKessy collected the save to keep it a one goal game. The Otters could not get through the stingy backline down the stretch and managed only one quality opportunity at the tie as a corner kick found the head of Kamryn Burbank put her header went high and Dominican secured the victory. 

Camille Aquino had the first chance to open the scoring for the Penguins as she worked her way inside the box and was alone with the keeper but McKessy made a big save to preserve the tie in the 11th minute. While the Otters had several shots on goal in the first half, Buesing was in perfect position to handle them with the Dominican defense making sure the quality of chances remained low.

Dominican will return to the pitch Tuesday to take on Academy of Art at 1 p.m. PDT at Paul Goode Field.