LA JOLLA -- Cal State LA's men's soccer team is moving on after a tense California Collegiate Athletic Association Championship Tournament semi-final battle with rival Cal State Dominguez Hills.
The Golden Eagles and Toros battled to a 1-1 tie Friday before a key save from
Steven Barrera in the fourth round of the shootout helped Cal State LA to a 4-3 advantage and into the championship match for the fourth time in program history. Cal State LA (13-4-3) won conference tournament titles in 2011 and 2013.
The third match this season between the No. 5 seed Golden Eagles and the No. 1 Toros (12-4-3) was as tight and hard-fought as you would expect. Each team had a win over the other during the regular season and Friday's game was another classic.
Cal State Dominguez Hills had a 22-17 edge in shots, while Cal State LA had a 10-7 advantage in corner kicks. Barrera made four saves and then another big stop during the penalty kick phase.
Tim Klefisch gave the Golden Eagles a 1-0 lead in the 59th minute after a long shot hit the far post and bounced in for his third goal of the season.
The Toros tied it in the 67th minute on a penalty kick by Gilberto Rocha.
Cal State LA had three outstanding chances in the first overtime period, but a strong shot by RIgoberto Maciel sailed just wide, a blistering shot by
Kareem Salem was just tipped away by Cal State Dominguez Hills goalkeeper Chase Gentry and a header by Salem off a free kick by Maciel went just high.
Julian Zamora had a good look in the second overtime period, but Gentry just got enough of it to clear away for a corner kick.
That sent the game into penalty kicks with the Toros shooting first. Klefisch,
Miguel Galvan Lara and
Morten Bjoershol were all successful in the first three rounds and when Barrera made a diving save in the fourth round, Cal State LA had the advantage. Zamora was perfect on his attempt to make it 4-3 and when the Toros' fifth attempt went high, the Golden Eagles were moving on.
Cal State LA will face No. 2 seed Cal Poly Pomona on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. The winner will earn the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
