LOS ANGELES -- Cal State LA's men's soccer team allowed a goal for the first time this season, but the Golden Eagles were still able to remain unbeaten with another home victory.
The No. 2 Golden Eagles (5-0) improved to 4-0 at home with a 3-1 victory over Point Loma Saturday night at University Stadium. Cal State LA surrendered its first goal of the season in the 78th minute, but the Golden Eagles regained their two-goal lead moments later on a penalty kick goal to secure the win.
Point Loma (3-3) had an 18-9 edge in shots, including an 11-3 edge in the second half, although the Golden Eagles did a good job of making the majority of those attempts come from long distance.
Julian Aadlandsvik made eight saves on the night, including a couple of outstanding deflections of strong scoring bids.
The Sea Lions also had a 10-2 advantage in corner kicks, although the Golden Eagles defended each one of them brilliantly.
The first goal of the game came on a corner kick in the 23rd minute.
Jeppe Paulsen sent in a dangerous ball into the box, where
Carl Solli headed it first. The ball went to Roei Morchechay who headed it toward the goal where
Oliver Diaz was right at the doorstep to knock it in.
Paulsen also got the ball rolling for the Golden Eagles on the second goal in the 40th minute scored by
Aidan Wait. Paulsen sent a nice pass to
Oscar Warne, who fired off the pass but was denied by Point Loma goalkeeper Finn Simmersbach. Wait, though, was there for the rebound and he put it home for a 2-0 lead.
That's where the score stayed until the 78th minute when Point Loma struck for its goal. Kaelele Fernandez set the goal up with some strong dribbling and a nice cross into the box where Elijah Lankford was there to knock it in from point-blank range. It snapped Cal State LA's scoreless streak at 437:23.
The Golden Eagles, struck back almost immediately as
Bryan Ortega was fouled in the box and delivered a penalty kick goal to make it 3-1.
Point Loma's Juan Salazar was a consistent threat during the game and had a match-high six shots. Ortega had a pair of shots for Cal State LA, while seven other Golden Eagles had a shot.
Cal State LA will return to action next Saturday with a non-conference match against Cal State Dominguez Hills at 6 p.m. at Dignity Health Sports Park.