October 27, 2006

Box Score

La Jolla, CA -- Junior forward Julio Madrigal (Inglewood, CA/Inglewood HS) tapped in a rebounded shot attempt with 1:40 elapsed in the second overtime to give 4th-seeded CSUDH (14-6-1) a thrilling 2-1 semifinal win over top-seeded and defending CCAA Champion Sonoma State. The win sends the Toros to Sunday morning's CCAA Championship game against 2nd-seeded Cal State L.A., a 2-1 winner over Cal State Stanislaus in the first semifinal match-up.

The Toros looked to get out fast against the Seawolves, keeping the ball in SSU's zone for the first 15 minutes of play. Things changed dramatically in the 19th minute, however, as SSU's Eric Larson fed a streaking Andrew Bailey down the right side of the field. Bailey, who claimed the 2006 CCAA Player of the Year Award yesterday evening, proved his worth by dribbling around a Toro defender and blasting his shot by diving CSUDH keeper Kyle Polak (Huntington Beach, CA/CS Fullerton) for a quick 1-0 lead.

CSUDH would continue its assault after Bailey's goal, getting close after Scott Mariano's (Artesia,CA/Gahr HS) header sailed just wide in the 41st minute. That near miss would spur the Toro attack even more as, just two minutes later, Devin Toohey (Santa Paula, CA/Ventura College) would take a perfect direct kick from Humberto Lopez (Bellflower, CA/Cerritos College) and spear his header top shelf near side past leaping SSU goalie Clark Rupp to even the score entering intermission.

Both defenses took center stage after the break, until Mariano and Sammy Rivas (Long Beach, CA/CS Fullerton) each got good looks at the goal, but were unable to connect.

The reigning conference champions had a change to break the tie in the 70th minute as Brett Cook found himself with a loose ball at about 10 yards out, but Polak smothered Cook's shot to keep the two teams even.

The Toros would find more opportunties five minutes later as both Mario Guerrero (Riverside, CA/La Sierra HS) and Rivas found themselves alone in front of Rupp, but the SSU keeper snagged both blasts with ease as time continued to run.

Sonoma State would make its last push in regulation with 10 seconds left, but Ross Middlemiss' shot deflected off a Toro defender at the mouth of the CSUDH goal, sending the contest into overtime.

After H. Lopez successfully tackled an oncoming Bailey in the 8th minute of overtime right outside the 18-yard mark, H. Lopez had a chance himself to win it with just a minute left in the first extra period, but his direct kick bender hit off the post and crossbar, sending the game into a second overtime.

In double overtime, the Toros wasted little time in launching its celebration, tallying three shots to the Seawolves' none. After a Jose Serpas (Costa Mesa, CA/Orange Coast College) blast ricocheted away from the cluster in front of the SSU net, Madrigal found himself with a sitter on the opposite corner, and tapped it in for the game winner.

The Toros outshot the Seawolves 25-14, and enjoyed a 7-4 advantage in corners. Polak saved four shots in the double-overtime win, while Rupp netted seven saves in the loss.

CSUDH's win sets up an all southern California final against the Golden Eagles who, after going winless in 11 years against the Toros, took both regular season meetings against CSUDH this season. The Toros will be going after their 5th CCAA Title since the Tournament's inception in 1998, but first since winning four-consecutive crowns from 1999-2002. First kick for the championship game is scheduled for 11:30 a.m.

CSU Dominguez Hills. 1 0 0 1 - 2 
Sonoma State........ 1 0 0 0 - 1

SCORING SUMMARY:
19:36 SSU-M BAILEY, Andrew (13) (LARSON, Eric) - Strike from 6 yards
43:00 CSUDH TOOHEY, Devin (1) (LOPEZ, Humberto) - header from 6 yards off from cross pass
101:40 CSUDH MADRIGAL, Julio (4) (unassisted) - Strike off a rebound from defender

Shots: CSU Dominguez Hills 25, Sonoma State 14

Saves: CSU Dominguez Hills 4 (POLAK, Kyle 4), Sonoma State 7 (RUPP, Clark 7).