LOS ANGELES – Cal State L.A.'s women's soccer team got another outstanding defensive performance and this time it resulted in a hard-earned victory.

 

The Golden Eagles posted their fourth shutout in their last five games and got a late goal from freshman Dana Menard to beat Cal State Dominguez Hills, 1-0, Sunday at Jesse Owens Track. Cal State L.A. (8-5-1, 5-4-1 CCAA) kept its conference tournament hopes alive and handed Cal State Dominguez Hills (11-2-3, 6-2-2) only its second conference defeat.

 

Cal State L.A. pulled to within four points of Cal State Dominguez Hills, which currently holds the fourth and final spot to the CCAA Championship Tournament. The Golden Eagles are also two points behind Cal Poly Pomona, but have played one fewer game. UC San Diego has 25 points, Cal State Stanislaus has 23, Chico State has 22, Cal State Dominguez Hills has 20, Cal Poly Pomona has 18 and Cal State L.A. has 16.

 

Menard scored the game's only goal on Sunday in the 73^rd minute thanks to an assist from Garry Lovato. A perfectly-placed pass by Lovato was run down by Menard in the box and she lofted a shot over Cal State Dominguez Hills goalie Alyssa Condgen. Menard now has four goals on the season.

 

Cal State L.A. goalie Reyna Coca made it stand up, recording eight saves to record her seventh save of the season. The Golden Eagles have allowed only one goal in their last five contests.

 

Cal State Dominguez Hills owned an 18-15 advantage in shots and a 5-4 edge in corner kicks. Condgen made six saves for the Toros. In a lively second half, Cal State Dominguez Hills had a 12-9 edge in shots and the Golden Eagles had to survive some anxious moments down the stretch to preserve the win.

 

The best scoring chance in the first half came when Cal State Dominguez Hills' Corrie Hirokawa drilled a free kick that seemed destined for the top shelf of the goal, but Coca was able to leap and just deflect it over the crossbar in the 21^st minute.

 

Cal State L.A.'s Amber de Seriere had a strong chance in the second half, but Condgen made the save of a shot from inside the box.

Both teams had several dangerous runs as the half progressed, but Menard was the first one who was able to finish it with a goal.

 

The Toros had a golden opportunity to tie it with just 3:03 remaining when Coca came out to challenge a shot and dove to the ground. The ball squirted free and Cal State Dominguez Hills' Kelly Matosian sent a shot toward an empty net that was cleared away by Cal State L.A.'s Karly Huerta.

 

Coca was shaken up on the play, but was able to stay in the game and the Golden Eagle defense was steady the rest of the way.

 

Cal State L.A. will return to action on Friday with a big conference match at Cal Poly Pomona.