LOS ANGELES – Cal State L.A.'s men's soccer team got a huge boost from a pivotal second-half substitution.
 
Troy Dumlao, who started the game at forward for the Golden Eagles, scored twice shortly after his return in the second half to lift Cal State L.A. to a 2-0 win over Sonoma State Friday at Jesse Owens Track. Cal State L.A. (3-0-1, 1-0 CCAA) remained unbeaten while handing Sonoma State (3-1-1, 0-1 CCAA) its first loss of the season.
 
Dumlao now leads the Golden Eagles with three goals. He was a constant threat on Friday and had a match-high four shots.
 
And, when head coach Chris Chamides put Dumlao back in the game in the 66^th minute, his move paid immediate dividends.
 
Dumlao took a pass from Brandon Herrerias and put a shot past Sonoma State goalkeeper Mitch North in the 68^th minute, just 1:19 after he re-entered the game.
 
Then, a little more than four minutes later, Dumlao drilled a shot from just inside the box past North and just under the crossbar to put the game out of reach. Brett Elliott picked up the assist.
 
Cal State L.A.'s defense took it from there and allowed only one more shot – which was blocked – since taking the 2-0 lead.
 
Cal State L.A. had a 12-3 advantage in shots, while both teams had four corner kicks. Anthony Perez made two saves to record the shutout, while North also had two saves.
 
Shahin Hemat had two shots for the Golden Eagles, while Herbert Biste, Marvin Iskra, Samuel Kersh, Steven Eberle, Jose Bucio and Joshua Cortez had one each.
 
The Golden Eagles' backline of Daniel Guzman, Lucas Rio Torto, Kaan Gultoprak and Kersh did a masterful job of preventing nationally-ranked Sonoma State from generating good looks on offense.
 
Cal State L.A. will return to action on Sunday with a home match against Humboldt State at 2 p.m.