LOS ANGELES – Cal State L.A.'s men's soccer team fell just short once again against defending Far West Region champion Seattle University.
The Golden Eagles (2-1-1) suffered their first defeat of the season when Seattle got a goal in the 72nd minute and held to beat Cal State L.A., 1-0, in a rematch between Far West Region finalists from a year ago. Seattle (4-1) won the Far West Region title last season on penalty kicks after the Redhawks and Golden Eagles battled to a 3-3 tie through regulation and two overtime periods.
There was no overtime period on Tuesday in sizzling heat on Jesse Owens Track, although it looked for a while like there might be. Good scoring chances were few and far between as the two evenly-matched teams battled through a hard-fought match that featured six yellow cards and two red cards. One player from each team was sent off after picking up a second yellow card in the second half.
The only goal of the game came in the 72nd minute with Cal State L.A. playing a man short. Cameron Mertins got to a beautifully placed pass by Eric Forner just ahead of a Golden Eagle defender and, while in full sprint, got off a shot that went past Hummel and into the right corner of the net.
Both teams finished with eight shots each and Seattle had a 9-2 edge in corner kicks with seven of those coming in the first half. Cal State L.A.'s
Tobias Hummel made two saves, while Seattle's Jordan Jennings made four saves for the shutout.
Seattle maintained an edge in possession for most of the first half and nearly took a 1-0 lead in the 30
th minute when a rebound attempt by John Cascio sailed just wide. Cal State L.A. finished the half strongly and had a header by
Patrick Thurston sail over the crossbar in the 41
st minute and a left-footed shot from
Morten Marthinsen off a nice pass from
Derrek Horn require Jennings to make a diving stop in the 44
th minute.
Seattle's John Morris had a shot sail just over the crossbar in the 61st minute and Dustin Allbery had a shot go high in the 65th minute.
Cal State L.A. countered with a pair of nice scoring chances. Horn got off a good shot from a Marthinsen pass, but Jennings made the save in the 69
th minute and the Seattle goalie came up big again a few minutes later when
Kyle Hewitt took a hard shot on goal off another good pass from Marthinsen.
Seattle finally struck just 2:22 after Cal State L.A. was forced to play short-handed. Seattle had a player receive a second yellow card as well in the 89th minute, but Cal State L.A. was unable to get off a tying shot.
The Golden Eagles will now begin California Collegiate Athletic Association play on Friday with a home match against Sonoma State at 4:30 p.m.
