Postgame Interview

TURLOCK -- Cal State LA's men's soccer team saw its journey in the California Collegiate Athletic Association Championship Tournament come to an end Friday in Warrior Stadium.

The No. 6 seed Golden Eagles surrendered an early goal and never could get the equalizer in an eventual 2-0 loss to No. 2 seed Sonoma State. Cal State LA (10-6-3) had a series of opportunities to tie the score in the second half, but just couldn't capitalize. With the Golden Eagles pressing forward in the final minutes, Sonoma State (10-3-5) made it 2-0 on a counter with less than two minutes to go.

Cal State LA was making its fourth straight appearance in the conference semi-finals and for the fifth time in the last six years. Included in that run are conference tournament titles in 2011 and 2013.

Cal State LA has made 10 trips to the conference tournament over the past 11 years and now has an overall record of 7-7-1 in tournament games. The Golden Eagles opened tournament play on Tuesday with a physical 2-1 win over No. 3 seed Cal Poly Pomona, while Sonoma State received a first-round bye.

Friday's contest was evenly-played. Sonoma State enjoyed a 13-7 advantage in shots, while Cal State had a 6-4 edge in corner kicks. Cal State LA goalkeeper Steven Barrera made four saves, while Sonoma State goalkeeper Mitch North made three saves.

The Golden Eagles had some outstanding chances in the first half, but Sonoma State struck for the first goal in the 13th minute. Andrew Oglivy got free in the box and hit a shot that hit the far post. The ball bounced fortuitously right back to Oglivy, who this time tried the other side of the goal and scored his fifth goal of the season.

Barrera made his best save of the match a few minutes later when he was able to punch a point-blank header over the crossbar to keep it 1-0.

Jonathan Hinojosa almost got the Golden Eagles on the board about 10 minutes later when Jonathan Hinojosa stole the ball deep in Sonoma State territory and sent a strong sharp-angle shot that was tipped by North.

Steven Eberle also got a pair of good looks late in the half when Cal State LA had its best run of play. First, he had a good look from inside the box blocked by a Sonoma State defender and late in the half Eberle fought off a defender and was able to direct a shot toward goal that was saved by North.

Cal State LA had a possession edge in the second half, but Sonoma State packed in its defense and made it difficult for the Golden Eagles to get clear shots. Hinojosa was able to a ball past North, but Sonoma State's defense kept it out. Eberle took a free kick with about five minutes left that just cleared a group of players in the box and sailed just wide of the far post.

Eberle led the Golden Eagles with three shots, while Hinojosa had two. Antonio Rosas and Samuel Croucher each had a shot.

Cal State LA will now wait for the announcement of the NCAA Division II playoff field on Monday. The Golden Eagles have won 10 or more games in six straight years and 10 of the past 11 seasons and recorded 11 consecutive winning seasons.