ROHNERT PARK -- A perfectly-placed kick from returning All-American
Morten Bjoershol meant a big California Collegiate Athletic Association victory for the defending conference champions.
Bjoershol drilled a free kick in the waning moments of the second overtime into the top of the goal to lift the Golden Eagles to a 1-0 victory over Sonoma State on Sunday at Seawolf Soccer Stadium. Cal State LA (4-2-1, 2-0 CCAA) completed its first week of conference play with six points and finds itself atop the conference standings with fellow Southern California foes Cal State Dominguez Hills and Cal State San Bernardino.
The Golden Eagles, who had a 10-0-1 conference record on their way to the 2019 conference championship, ran their conference unbeaten streak to 16 and their conference winning streak to eight.
Alvaro Unanua, who came up with a huge penalty-kick save to spark a 3-1 win at San Francisco State on Friday, made four saves on Sunday to record his fourth shutout of the season.
Bjoershol got the game-winner in the final minute of the second overtime period after a foul a few yards outside of the box gave the Golden Eagles a free kick. Bjoershol, who had a good attempt on a free kick earlier in the contest, lofted a beautiful shot into the goal on his second attempt with 41 seconds remaining.
It was the sixth career goal for Bjoershol, a two-time United Soccer Coaches All-American and his second game-winner in double overtime. He also notched the only goal while being inserted into the game at the start of the second overtime period in a 1-0 win at Cal State San Marcos on Oct. 21, 2018 and he also had a big goal on a free kick in a 2-1 first-round NCAA playoff win over Chico State on Nov. 9, 2018.
The Golden Eagles turned in a spectacular effort on Sunday to turn back Sonoma State (4-4-1, 0-1-1 CCAA), which was coming off a tie with Cal Poly Pomona on Friday. Cal State LA had a 12-8 advantage in shots and really took control in the overtime periods when the Golden Eagles outshot the Seawolves, 5-0, and had a large advantage in possession. Cal State LA also had a 7-5 edge in corner kicks.
Carl Solli had three shots for the Golden Eagles, including a pair on goal. He had a dangerous free kick as well in the second overtime that was deflected away by Sonoma State goalkeeper Reinier Ter Riet. That led to a corner kick and ultimately to a shot from
Anton Olofsson that was blocked.
Aidan Wait also had three shots for the Golden Eagles.
Cal State LA will return to action on Friday with a home game against Cal State East Bay.
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