SAN BERNARDINO -- Cal State LA's men's soccer team made it five in a row Friday with a California Collegiate Athletic Association tourney win over Sonoma State.
The Golden Eagles got goals from
Manuel Garcia and
Alex Rodriguez and beat the Seawolves, 2-1, in a CCAA Tournament semi-final contest at Cal State San Bernardino's Premier Field. Cal State LA (14-1-3), the two-time defending CCAA Tournament champions, advances to its fifth consecutive championship game.
The Golden Eagles, ranked No. 8 in the nation and No. 2 in the Super Region 4, opened the scoring on Garcia's goal in the 10th minute and, after Sonoma State tied it before halftime, got the game-winner from Rodriguez early in the second half.
Cal State LA had a 14-7 advantage in shots and fired 10 shots on goal at Sonoma State goalkeeper Reiner ter Riet, who made eight saves in the game. The Golden Eagles also had a 10-3 edge in corner kicks.
CCAA Goalkeeper of the Year
Alvaro Unanua made three saves.
The Golden Eagles, who beat the Seawolves, 3-0, in a regular-season match in Los Angeles earlier this season, took a 1-0 lead in the 10th minute on Garcia's second goal of the season.
Bryan Ortega set up the goal with a beautiful cross that Garcia finished from in tight. Ortega picked up his team-leading fifth goal of the season.
Sonoma State, though, got the equalizer on a goal by Oliver Ziemer, his first of the season, with an assist from Federico Barbieri in the 30th minute.
Rodriguez put the Golden Eagles ahead in the 58th minute with his fifth goal of the season with an assist from
Jeppe Paulsen. The assist was Paulsen's fourth of the season. Paulsen drove the ball at the defense and sent a pass through to Rodriguez, who finished beautifully with a low shot on goal.
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