Box Score

SEASIDE – Cal State L.A.'s men's soccer team has clinched a spot in the California Collegiate Athletic Association Championship Tournament thanks to another clutch performance.
 
The Golden Eagles got an overtime goal from Jason Swope to beat Cal State Monterey Bay, 2-1, Friday at the Otter Sports Complex. Cal State L.A. (11-1-5, 9-5-1 CCAA) stretched its unbeaten streak to nine games with the hard-fought victory over the Otters.
 
Cal State L.A. now has 32 points and, at least temporarily, has a three-point lead over Cal State Dominguez Hills in the South Division race. The Toros will play later this evening at Cal State East Bay and would pull back into a tie for first with a victory. A Cal State Dominguez Hills win would also clinch a tournament spot for the Toros.
 
Chico State has a chance to clinch the North Division title with a win later today after Sonoma State and Cal State Stanislaus played to a 0-0 tie in Rohnert Park. That would leave Cal Poly Pomona, Sonoma State and Cal State Stanislaus still battling for the final tournament spot.
 
The win for the Golden Eagles on Friday certainly wasn't easy. Cal State L.A. took a 1-0 lead in the 16^th minute on a goal by Nicolas Assad, but Cal State Monterey Bay (6-9-1, 6-8-1 CCAA) refused to buckle and actually appeared to take control of the match for long stretches of time.
 
The Otters got the equalizer in the 59^th minute on a goal by Jon Decker and Cal State Monterey Bay kept up the pressure for a long time after that.
 
The Golden Eagles finally started to generate some chances again near the end of regulation and then finally got the game-winner near the end of the first overtime period.
 
Cal State L.A. had an 18-16 advantage in shots and an 8-2 edge in corner kicks. Cal State Monterey Bay, though, had an 8-4 advantage in shots on goal. Cal State L.A. goalkeeper Waleed Cassis made six saves for the Golden Eagles, while Cal State Monterey Bay's Sam Campanelli and Julian Salas combined to make two saves.
 
It was the second overtime win of the season for the Golden Eagles, who also edged Cal State Stanislaus, 2-1, on an overtime goal on Sept. 16. The Golden Eagles have also gotten late goals in regulation to forge ties with Chico State, Cal Poly Pomona  and Cal State San Bernardino.
 
Assad put the Golden Eagles in the 16^th minute with his second goal of the season and second in two games. Derek Faulkner sent in a long cross through the goalmouth that Assad knocked into the goal.
 
Decker tied it up for the Otters with his first goal of the season with assists from Max Brixey and George Plakorus in the 59^th minute. The Otters kept up the attack and outshot the Golden Eagles, 9-7, in the second half. Cassis made four of his saves and the Golden Eagles were credited with a team save in the second period.
 
Swope then notched his eighth goal of the season to lift the Golden Eagles to victory. Faulkner picked up his second assist of the game and his third of the season when he sent Swope in alone against the Cal State Monterey Bay goalkeeper. Swope didn't miss and the Golden Eagles had the important victory.
 
Cal State L.A. will conclude the regular season on Sunday at Cal State East Bay. The Golden Eagles can clinch at least a share of the CCAA South Division title with a win.