Box Score
Carson, CA -- In what wasn't the prettiest display of Division II soccer, top-seeded and host Cal State Dominguez Hills rode a Devin Toohey goal in the 19th minute to a 1-0 NCAA Far West first round win over 4th-seeded Grand Canyon University on Friday night at Toro Stadium at the Track & Field Facility at The Home Depot Center, setting up an all-CCAA clash for the 2007 Far West Title on Sunday afternoon against nemesis Sonoma State, a 2-0 winner over 2nd-ranked Seattle University in the day's earlier match.
In a first half that seemed void of any continuity, the Toros struck for what turned out to be the game's only goal at 19:16 as Toohey took a feed from Andrew Marinez, withstood being grabbed by an Antelope defender, and somehow lofted his shot over GCU keeper Vincent Licciardi from 8 yards out for a 1-0 lead.
After the first period in which CSUDH out-shot the 'Lopes 6-4, the Toros stepped on the offensive pedal to a tune of 6 shots versus 2 after the break, resulting in an overall 12-6 edge. In the 55th minute, GCU had its best look at the Toro goal as Julien Roberts dribbled his way through the CSUDH defense where he ended up deep inside the Toro zone, only to sail his left-footed shot high.
CSUDH seemed to make it a two-goal lead in the 62nd minute after earning one of six corners on the evening, but a Sammy Rivas header that eluded Licciardi was nullified by an offsides call, keeping the Antelopes within striking distance.
That chance, however, would be the last good look for either team as time expired on GCU's season, while enabling CSUDH to live to play another day.
CSUDH keeper Derby Carrillo tallied two saves in the win, while his counterpart notched six in the loss.
The CCAA Champion Toros, now 18-3-1, will look to win their second Far West Title in the last three years after taking the crown in 2005. First kick for the third and final 2007 season meeting between the two teams is scheduled for 1:00 pm.
Sonoma-Seattle Box Score
In the day's first match, junior defender Scott Preckwinkle tallied two goals as 3rd-seeded Sonoma State handed 2nd-seeded Seattle University a 2-0 defeat in the first round of the NCAA Far West Region, ensuring a new Far West Champion for 2007.
The Seawolves, winners of 17-consecutive at one stretch during the season, began quickly as Mike Travis centered a ball to Ross Middlemiss at point blank range, but SU keeper Jordan Jennings was up to the challenge early on, stoning Middlemiss' attempt.
That all changed at 11:00, however, as SSU's Steven Brown sent a cross to Preckwinkle in the mouth of the SU goal, and Preckwinkle delivered his header top shelf for a 1-0 lead.
The two connected again in the 26th minute on an identical play, resulting in another Preckwinkle header that gave the Seawolves a 2-nil lead.
SSU keeper Brook Johnson was stellar in goal for the Seawolves, finishing the game with six saves, including two on SU breakaways in which he stopped Cameron Mertens in the 40th minute and Jason Cascio in the 78th minute to keep the SSU shutout intact.
Jennings finished with five saves for the Redhawks, whose season ended at 15-3-2.
“We bounced back after a tough loss last Sunday (in the CCAA Championship game loss to CSUDH),” begins SSU head coach Marcus Ziemer. “We kind of beat them at their own game, playing physical and more direct than usual, and the guys stepped up. Also, our defense has been solid all year and our keeper, Brook Johnson, made two unbelievable saves.
“Obviously I think everybody would like to see us play Dominguez because that was such a great game last Sunday, but we don't care who we play,” Ziemer continues. “We just wanted the chance to play.”
