Box Score

SEASIDE – Cal State L.A.'s men's soccer team came up big in the clutch once again.

 

The Golden Eagles, who missed opportunity after opportunity through a scoreless regulation, got an overtime goal by Aza Gomez to edge Cal State Monterey Bay, 1-0, Friday in a California Collegiate Athletic Association game at the Otter Soccer Complex. Cal State L.A. (5-0-1, 3-0-1 CCAA), ranked fourth in the nation, has won all five of its matches by one goal and picked up its third overtime victory of the season.

 

The Golden Eagles were fit to be tied up until the game-winner from Gomez. Cal State L.A. enjoyed a hefty 15-3 advantage in shots in regulation, had a 9-1 edge in corner kicks and missed on a second-half penalty kick.

 

Even so, the Golden Eagles picked up the important road victory over Cal State Monterey Bay (1-4-1, 1-1-1 CCAA). The Otters, who beat Cal State East Bay and tied UC San Diego in its first week of conference play, got a strong game from goalie Brenden Baca, who made four saves.

 

Cal State L.A. goalie Tobias Hummel made two saves as the Golden Eagles recorded their first shutout of the season. The Golden Eagles have allowed one or fewer goals in five of their six games this season.

 

The Otters were able to hold Cal State L.A. scoreless until the 98^th minute when Gomez came up with a loose ball, dribbled in and shot the ball into the net to give Cal State L.A. the win.

 

The Golden Eagles had their chances earlier, but couldn't convert. Cal State L.A. couldn't score on nine corner kicks and also misfired on its third penalty kick of the season. Baca was issued a yellow card for a foul in the box and Hector Macias was awarded a penalty kick early in the second half. His attempt, though, sailed wide to keep the game scoreless.

 

Cal State L.A. has made only one of its three penalty kicks this season.

 

The Golden Eagles had six corner kicks in the second half, but were unable to break the scoreless tie.

The goal for Gomez was his third of the season and all of them have been big. He got the game-winner late in the second half of a 2-1 win over Hawaii-Hilo in the season opener and he converted a penalty kick in the final minute of regulation to tie last Sunday's game against Cal State San Bernardino. The Golden Eagles went on to win that game, 3-2, in overtime on a goal by Jason Swope.

 

Cal State L.A. will return to action on Sunday with a conference match at San Francisco State.