LOS ANGELES -- Cal State LA's women's soccer team got a goal just before halftime and made it stand up in a nervy 1-0 win over Vanguard Wednesday night in University Stadium.
Mia Del Muro beat the halftime clock for the only goal of the game and
Taesja Paopao made five big saves in the second half to preserve the Golden Eagles' second straight shutout. Cal State LA (2-0-1) had a 13-0 advantage in shots at the half, but Vanguard (0-2) made a game of it in the second period only to have Paopao come up big with four huge stops in the final period.
Cal State LA finished the game with a 19-8 advantage in shots, while both teams had six corner kicks. Vanguard had the more dangerous corner kicks and Paopao made two brilliant saves of balls curving toward the near post by Alyssa Fong.Â
She also made a point-blank save on a bid from in close from Jena Howard and made a final one with less than three minutes left, denying a great shot by Kennedy Cypher that almost found the top corner of the net.
Paopao recorded the 14th shutout of her Cal State LA career.
The Golden Eagles dominated possession in the first half and spent the majority of the first 45 minutes in Vanguard's zone. It wasn't until the waning seconds of the first half before the Golden Eagles finally broke through for the score.
Delia Bocanegra started the scoring play with time winding down, sending a cross into the box after a strong run.
Brianna Marquez deflected the cross to Del Muro, who was alone on the left side of the box and quickly flipped the ball just inside the near post for her first Cal State LA goal.
Bocanegra picked up her first assist of the season and first of her Cal State LA career, while Marquez also picked up her first assist of the season and first of her Cal State LA career.
Bocanegra had a strong game for the Golden Eagles and had a match-high four shots, while
Presli Dillon had there shots.
Cal State LA will return to action on Saturday night with a big match against defending national champion Point Loma at University Stadium.
