Box Score
CARSON -- Cal State L.A.'s women's soccer team has earned a shot at defending its California Collegiate Athletic Association championship.
The Golden Eagles became the first team to clinch a spot in the four-team CCAA Championship Tournament with a 2-1 win over Cal State Dominguez Hills Saturday at Toro Field. Cal State L.A. rallied to post its fourth straight win and second straight over the Toros this week. The Golden Eagles have now won eight of their last nine matches.
Cal State L.A. won the first meeting on Wednesday, 4-1, in Los Angeles, but had a much tougher battle on Saturday at Toro Field. The Golden Eagles surrendered a goal in the 43rd minute and trailed at halftime, 1-0.
Second-half goals by
Lisa Ohberg and
Alex Conley turned the tide for the Golden Eagles. Conley got the game-winner in the 78th minute.
Cal State L.A. (12-3, 11-3 CCAA) now has a conference-best 33 points and has assured itself of being one of the four teams in the CCAA Championship Tournament. The Golden Eagles lead the South Division by four points over UC San Diego, although the Tritons have an extra match to play. Cal State Dominguez Hills (10-5-1, 8-5-1 CCAA) remains in third place in the South Division with 25 points.
Cal State Dominguez Hills had an 11-10 edge in shots, although the Golden Eagles had more shots on goal, 6-4. The Toros had a decided edge in the latter stages of the first half and had a 9-5 advantage in shots in the opening period.
Cal State L.A. regrouped in the second half and limited the Toros to only two more shots.
Jessica Murphy gave the Toros a 1-0 lead late in the first half when she got to the rebound of a shot by Yadira Gomez and knocked it home for her 12th goal of the season.
Ohberg tied it in the 59th minute with an assist from
Ann Marie Tangorra. Ohberg took a pass from Tangorra and, with the goalkeeper out, struck a shot into the empty net. The goal was Ohberg's third of the season.
Conley scored her fourth goal of the season after accepting a pass from
Liz Franco, beating Cal State Dominguez Hills defenders and getting a shot past Cal State Dominguez Hills goalkeeper Alyssa Congdon.
Cal State L.A.'s defense held firm the rest of the way and did not allow a Cal State Dominguez Hills shot.
Gabriella Batmani made three saves in goal for the defending conference champions.
Cal State L.A. will play its final two regular-season games at home next week beginning with a big match against Cal State San Bernardino on Friday.
