Box Score
LA JOLLA -- Cal State L.A.'s men's soccer team took care of business Friday and wrapped up the No. 1 seed for the upcoming California Collegiate Athletic Association Championship Tournament.
The Golden Eagles posted their fifth straight win with a 1-0 victory over UC San Diego Friday at Triton Soccer Field. Cal State L.A. (16-2-1, 12-2-1 CCAA) clinched at least a share of the CCAA South Division title with the victory. The Golden Eagles, who lead Cal State San Bernardino by three points, can wrap up sole possession of the division title with a win or tie Sunday at Cal State East Bay.
Cal State L.A. is ranked seventh in the nation and No. 1 in the NCAA Division II West Region.
Jason Swope scored the only goal of the game in the 49th minute and the Golden Eagle defense did the rest. Cal State L.A. had a 12-3 advantage in shots and didn't allow an attempt in the first half of play.
Tobias Hummel started in goal for the Golden Eagles, but was knocked ouf the contest in the 31st minute with a head injury. Freshman
Jose Martinez came on in relief and recorded the only save for the Golden Eagles down the stretch.
The Tritons' best chance at an equalizer came in the final minute, but Martinez controlled a hard shot by David Bakal to preserve the shutout. The Golden Eagle defense also blocked a line drive shot by Bakal in the 81st minute that sent it skidding wide of the goal.
Hummel was injured on a breakaway situation in the first half. As UC San Diego's Evan Walker tried to make a move around Hummel, the Golden Eagle goalie snagged the ball away from Walker's foot. The two players collided and Hummel had to leave the game.
Junior defender
Tony Hernandez started the lone scoring play of the evening when he tried to send a ball over the UC San Diego defense. The ball was headed by a defender, but a charging Swope got to the ball first at the top of the box and drilled it past UC San Diego goalie Peter Akman for the score.
Akman made an outstanding save to prevent a 2-0 lead.
Anton Gunnarsson sent a pass to
Derrek Horn near the front of the goal and he flicked a shot off his back foot, but the UC San Diego goalie was able to pounce on it before it went in the goal.
In addition to their 12-3 edge in shots, the Golden Eagles also had a 6-3 advantage in corner kicks.
Cal State L.A. will conclude the regular season with a match at CCAA newcomer Cal State East Bay on Sunday.