Postgame Press Conference

LA JOLLA -- Cal State LA's men's soccer team has taken a major step toward defending its California Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament title.

The Golden Eagles survived a big test from No. 3 seed Chico State and edged the Wildcats, 1-0, on a goal by Daniel Simonis with just 22 seconds remaining in the second overtime. Cal State LA (13-2-3), the No. 2 seed, will play for its second straight tournament title on Sunday at 2 p.m. against No. 1 seed Cal Poly Pomona.

Cal State LA had a healthy 19-4 advantage in shots, but the game remained scoreless and seemed to be heading into penalty kicks before Tim Klefisch was fouled in the box with time winding down. Carlos Zarate took the penalty kick, but his shot was stopped by Chico State goalkeeper Damion Lewis. The rebound came out and Zarate tried to shoot again, but it was blocked and Simonis got to it and fired it into net for his seventh goal of the season.

Lewis and a strong Chico State defense proved to be a tough combination and Cal State LA had to fight hard for quality scoring chances. Klefisch, who was a major factor in Friday's match, took a penalty kick in the first half, outguessing Lewis, but his shot hit the inside of the post and stayed out and a follow-up attempt by the Golden Eagles went wide.

In the second overtime, Lewis made the save on Zarate's attempt, only for Simonis to end the contest seconds later.

Simonis had four shots to lead all players, while Laurin Weiland, Robin Lindahl, David Elizaga, Morten Bjoershol, Leonardo Nogueira and Samuel Croucher had two shots each.The backline of Weiland, Bjoershol, Antonio Rosas and Jorge Orellana was outstanding once again and limited the Wildcats (12-5-1)  to just one shot on goal. 

Lewis made five saves for the Wildcats.

Lindahl had the first real scoring chance in the 16th minute when he fired a shot that went just outside the far post. Less than two minutes, Elizaga had a hard shot sail wide of the far post as well.

Klefisch's penalty kick was the next big chance in a scoreless opening half.

Simonis had the best chance of the second half when he got to the ball with Lewis out of the net, but a Chico State defender was able to clear the ball away before the shot found the goal.

Later, Croucher had back-to-back chances, one that was blocked and the other that went just high of the crossbar with about 24 minutes left in the second period,.

Nogueira had a tremendous chance in the first overtime period, but Lewis made a diving stop of a hard shot from inside the box. Chico State had its best chance of the game a few minutes later, but Alex Fluitt sent a shot wide. Not much was happening in the second overtime period and the game seemed to be headed to penalty kicks before Simonis ended it with his alert follow-up.

Cal State LA will face Cal Poly Pomona in the conference final for a second straight year on Sunday at 2 p.m.