CSDH men top CSLA in CCAA soccer matchup

(Petey21/Wikicommons)

By Joe Snyder

Last Sunday, Cal State Dominguez Hills and host Cal State Los Angeles men’s soccer teams squared off in a battle of unbeaten and nationally ranked teams.

The Golden Eagles, who won the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II championship with a 1-0 victory over University of Charleston from

South Carolina, were rated No. 1 in Division II with a 7-0 record. The Toros were ranked seventh and entered at 6-0-2.

It was Cal State Dominguez that scored the match’s only goal and its defense did the rest of the job in knocking off Cal State L.A. for a 1-0 victory, improving to 7-0-2 overall and 1-0-1 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. The loss ended the Golden Eagles’ 24-game winning streak dating back to last season.

In an outstanding defensive battle, the Toros came through when a kick from junior mid- fielder Martin Velasquez sailed above the head of Cal State L.A.’s All-American goalkeeper Alvaro Unanus, a senior from Pamplona, Spain, and into the net. The goal came off a pass by George Charles, Jr.

From there, CSDH’s defense did the rest. The Toro defense, in fact, allowed just six shots on goal. Goalkeeper Frank Aguilar had five saves.

Cal State Dominguez also had fine performances from former North Torrance High sophomores Michael McKibbin and Brandon Lee. McKibbin, in fact, had a hat trick goal for the Toros in their 3-3 tie against host Cal Poly Pomona last Thursday.

Former Gardena High mid- fielder Daniel Garcia saw a lot of action and had several defensive plays to keep the Golden Eagles in the match. Garcia transferred to Cal State L.A. from California Baptist College in Riverside. Garcia is a senior who has three assists and seven points so far this season.

Two days earlier at Cal State L.A., the Golden Eagles won a tough 1-0 match over Cal State Monterey Bay. Cal State L.A. is now 7-1 entering Friday’s CCAA encounter at Humboldt State in Arcata, located north of Eureka in the Redwoods region, start- ing at 12:30 p.m.

The Golden Eagles have an international team that also includes players from Japan, Spain, England, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Germany.

Cal State Dominguez comes home to face Cal State San Mar- cos from North San Diego Coun- ty Friday at 7 p.m. The Toros host Cal State San Bernardino Sunday at 5 p.m.

In the women’s match, host Cal State L.A. shut out Cal State Dominguez 2-0.

The Lady Toros host Cal State San Marcos Friday at 4:30 p.m. and Cal State San Ber- nardino Sunday at 2:30 p.m.