Cal State LA Interview

LOS ANGELES -- Cal State LA's men's soccer team completed a remarkable 2021 California Collegiate Athletic Association campaign on Sunday with a tremendous performance in the CCAA Tournament championship match.

The Golden Eagles became the first team since 2016 to win both the CCAA regular-season and tournament championships after beating Cal Poly Pomona, 3-1, in the tourney title contest at University Stadium. Cal State LA (14-2-2), ranked No. 6 in the nation and No. 1 in the NCAA Division II Super Region 4, earned the CCAA's automatic bid to the NCAA playoffs and will be making its 15th overall appearance and ninth in the past 10 years.

The Golden Eagles went unbeaten during the conference regular-season for the second straight year to claim back-to-back regular season titles and the 3-1 win on Sunday also gave them their third conference tournament title in the past four seasons and fifth overall (2011, 2013, 2017, 2018, 2021). The regular-season title is the eighth in program history (1980, 1981, 1983, 1992, 2011, 2013, 2019, 2021) and the first time Cal State LA has won back-to-back championships since 1980-81.

Cal State LA survived a strong opening push from Cal Poly Pomona, the tournament's No. 2 seed, before taking the lead midway through the first half on a goal by Carl Solli.

The Golden Eagles then scored a pair of goals in a four-minute span early in the second half to take a 3-0 lead. Cal Poly Pomona got on the board in the 85th minute, but Cal State LA averted any further danger for the remainder of the match.

Cal Poly Pomona had a 15-12 advantage in shots and a 7-2 edge in corner kicks. Cal State LA goalkeeper Alvaro Unanua, the CCAA Goalkeeper of the Year, had a sensational match, contributing a pair of acrobatic early saves to keep the game scoreless and then making three more amazing saves in the second half to help the Golden Eagles keep their 3-0 lead until the waning moments of the match.

Solli, Anton Olofsson and Lucas Rosales scored goals for the Golden Eagles, while David Elizaga continued his tremendous play of late with a pair of assists. 

Solli got the opening goal of the game when he soared to head in a pass into the box from Elizaga in the 24th minute.

Olofsson made it 2-0 in the 58th minute on a play that started with a steal at midfield. The Golden Eagles maintained possession with a series of passes and eventually Solli got it to Elizaga, who sent a through ball into the box to Olofsson, who shot it in for his fourth goal of the season.

Then, four minutes later, Jose Orellana made a strong run down the right side of the field before sending in a beautiful cross that Rosales got to first and knocked into the net for his fourth goal of the season.

Jerry Ramirez scored in the 85th minute with an assist from Oscar Griehsel Facey to account for Cal Poly Pomona's goal.

Elizaga, who now has a team-high nine assists on the season, had a match-high three shots for the Golden Eagles, while Solli added two shots.

Unanua was named the tournament's Most Valuable Defensive Player, while Elizaga was named the Most Valuable Offensive Player. They were joined on the All-Tournament team by teammates Morten Bjoershol, Gonzalo Talavera, Carl Olsen and Solli.

The Golden Eagles will turn their attention to the NCAA selection show, which will be aired Monday at 3:30 p.m. on ncaa.com.