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men's soccer hoists the trophy
Will G MacNeil
2
Winner Cal State LA CLA (15-1-3, 7-1-3)
1
Cal St. Dom. Hills CDH (14-1-5, 7-0-4)
Winner
Cal State LA CLA
(15-1-3, 7-1-3)
2
Final
1
Cal St. Dom. Hills CDH
(14-1-5, 7-0-4)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Cal State LA CLA 1 1 2
Cal St. Dom. Hills CDH 1 0 1

Game Recap: Men's Soccer |

Golden Eagles Claim Second Straight Tourney Title

SAN BERNARDINO -- Cal State LA's men's soccer team made it two in row Sunday by winning back-to-back California Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament championships.

The Golden Eagles, ranked No. 8 in the nation and  No. 2 in the Super Region 4, rallied for a 2-1 victory over CCAA regular-season champion Cal State Dominguez Hills at Cal State San Bernardino's Premier Field. Cal State LA (15-1-3) trailed 1-0 after a Toro goal in the 19th minute, but Daniel Garcia tied it with a goal in the 45th minute, Oliver Diaz got the game-winner in the 54th minute and the Golden Eagles were able to avenge a 1-0 loss to the Toros early in the season.

Cal State LA handed Cal State Dominguez Hills (14-1-5), which is ranked No. 3 in the country and No. 4 in the Super Region, its first loss of the season.

The Golden Eagles were outshot in the contest, 9-6, and had only one shot until Garcia's game-tying goal right before halftime. Cal State LA had a 4-2 edge in the second half and put the clamps on defensively. Cal State Dominguez Hills had a 4-2 advantage in corner kicks.

All-American goalkeeper Alvaro Unanua made four saves for the Golden Eagles.

Cal State LA added to its impressive trophy collection and claimed the program's sixth tournament title, including the fourth in five years. The Golden Eagles were making their 11th straight appearance in the conference tournament.

The Golden Eagles tied the game in the waning seconds of the first half with a tremendous assist from Jacob Chong. It was Chong's lengthy throw-in that Garcia headed inside the left post for his fourth goal of the season.

The game-winner came from Diaz, who notched his sixth goal of the season. Garcia sent a deep free kick into the box, where Diaz headed it beautifully inside the far post. Diaz now shares the team lead in goals with six.

The Golden Eagles took over defensively from there, allowing only two shots for the remainder of the game.

James Raptis was named the tourney's Most Valuable Defensive Player, Garcia was named the tourney's Most Valuable Offensive Player and they were joined on the All-Tournament by Unanua, Alex Rodriguez, Diaz and Marlon Radel.

Cal State LA now turns its attention to the NCAA Tournament with the conference's automatic bid. The tournament field will be announced on Monday at 3:30 p.m. on ncaa.com. 





 
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