POMONA -- Cal State LA's men's soccer team finished a grueling week with a thrilling California Collegiate Athletic Association victory over Cal Poly Pomona on Sunday.
Leonardo Nogueira got the game-winner in overtime to lift the Golden Eagles to a 1-0 triumph over the Broncos in Kellogg Stadium. No. 2 Cal State LA (10-0-1, 5-0-1 CCAA) extended its season-long unbeaten string to 11 games and won for the fourth straight time over Cal Poly Pomona (6-4-2, 5-1-1 CCAA). The Golden Eagles are in a three-way tie for second in the conference with Cal Poly Pomona and Cal State San Bernardino with 16 points, but have played one fewer game. The Golden Eagles have played two fewer conference games than first-place UC San Diego (6-2 with 18 points) and are the lone unbeaten team remaining in conference play. (Teams received three points for a win and one point for a tie in the conference standings).
Cal State LA earned four points for the week after a 1-1 tie against No. 13 Cal State San Bernardino on Thursday and the overtime win over Cal Poly Pomona on Sunday.
The game-winning sequence was a full team effort. The Golden Eagles earned the ball in their defensive end and patiently moved the ball into Cal Poly Pomona's territory. The Broncos then took control, but relentless pressure from the Golden Eagles forced a turnover that led to the winning goal.
David Elizaga forced the errant pass, which was intercepted by
Carlos Zarate and quickly passed to an open Nogueira inside the box. Nogueira shot from near the penalty-kick stripe and did not miss to the far post.
It was a well-deserved moment for Nogueira, who is finding his way back and becoming a major threat after overcoming early-season injury troubles. He is a two-time All-CCAA player and picked up his first goal of the season on Sunday.
Cal State LA's defense was also on point and weathered an early onslaught from the Broncos in the overtime period. Goalkeeper
Alexander Brems made a point-blank save and defender
Morten Bjoershol also prevented a Cal Poly Pomona scoring chance in the opening minute of the overtime. Elizaga had a good look moments later, but his bid went high.
The Golden Eagles were outshot, 25-10, and the Broncos had a 7-2 edge in corner kicks. Brems made a season-high eight saves for his sixth shutout of the season and the team's seventh. Cal State LA now has four consecutive shutouts against Cal Poly Pomona, the defending regular-season champion, including a pair in the last two conference tournament finals.
Cal State LA will return to action on Friday with a road game at Cal State Monterey Bay at 4:30 p.m.
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