Box Score
RIVERSIDE – Cal State L.A.'s women's soccer team got its 2010 season off to a strong start after beating the heat and a top-ranked NAIA opponent.
The Golden Eagles got a pair of goals from
Ann Marie Tangorra and what proved to be the game-winner from
Marissa Pickett in a 3-1 win over California Baptist Saturday in Riverside. Cal State L.A. (1-0) scored the only two goals in the second half after settling for a 1-1 tie at halftime.
Cal State L.A. begins the season ranked 14th in the nation in the NCAA Division II, while California Baptist (2-1) is No. 8 in the country in the NAIA. The Lancers had not allowed a goal in their first two games, both lopsided victories.
The Golden Eagles needed just 1:43 to get on the scoreboard.
Amanda Taylor lofted a pass over the defense and Tangorra flicked it over the goalkeeper to get Cal State L.A. off to a quick start.
California Baptist tied the game just eight minutes later and had a quality chance go off the crossbar late in the first half.
Cal State L.A. took a 2-1 lead in the 54
th minute when Pickett knocked home the rebound of a shot by
Alex Conley.
The Golden Eagles made that goal stand up in a hard-fought contest and didn't get the insurance goal until the 88
th minute. Tangorra, the 2009 CCAA Freshman of the Year, carried a pass from
Stacey Rodwell at midfield and went on a breakaway to put the game away for Cal State L.A. Tangorra scored 10 goals last season in her first year with the program.
Cal State L.A. goalie
Jessie Walworth had a solid game, allowing only the one first-half goal. She made two saves. California Baptist had a 19-9 edge in shots, although the Golden Eagles had a 4-3 advantage in shots on goal. Cal State L.A.'s defense didn't allow a shot over the final 11:30 to secure the win.
Tangorra and
Liz Franco each had three shots in the contest for the Golden Eagles.
Cal State L.A. will open defense of its California Collegiate Athletic Association title next Friday with a road match at UC San Diego.
