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Men's Soccer

Mariano's Golden Goal Nets Win over No. 11 Tampa in NCAA Semifinals

Scott Mariano finished off host Tampa in overtime and sent the Toros to Sunday's title game
Box Score
Tampa, FL -- Going into the first overtime tied at 2-2, it was #Scott Mariano#'s golden goal at 94:23 that netted the Toros their first NCAA Championship final appearance in seven years as they defeated No. 11 University of Tampa 3-2 on their home field.

Though giving Tampa the first point on the board 20 seconds into the game as Lister Warren grabbed a loose ball in the scrum and one-touched it past the posts, #Greg Piechota#, who was posted on the inside of the box, grabbed a feed from Mariano to one-touch in the Toros first and tie the game at 1-1.

The Spartans took their second lead of the night as Warren once again took a shot collected from a deflected free kick for UT's second at 28:58.

It was head coach Joe Flanagan's half-time talk that ultimately changed the course of the night for the Toros. "We need to go after all our chances and keep on firing away. We played well in the first but we need to finish it in the second", was part of the observation Flanagan conveyed to the team at the half.

No doubt feeling the pressure CSUDH responded 41 seconds into the second half to once again tie the game a second time. #Jordan Rover#, taking a feed from #Chris Perkins# took a hard shot from the top for the Toros second goal of the game.

With regulation time ending the Toros looked to the first overtime to exact revenge on UT, going back to 2001 when the Spartans defeated them for the NCAA National Title.

"I gotta take my chance, it was kinda late but I adjusted and got to the ball first", says Mariano of his goal at 94:23, which came off another Perkins feed.

Ultimately it was the Toros hard-nosed offense and unforgiving defense that gave them their win. Outshooting Tampa 27-16 and taking 6 corners, while Tampa took none, Rover feels that it was the Toro spirit that won the game: "Tampa put up a good fight with their hard hitting offense but we wanted it more than they did and got it", he says of the win.

Now boasting a 18-2-4 record, CSUDH will face Dowling College (New York) who carries a 18-3-0 record in the NCAA Championship Final game this Sunday at 10:30 am Pacific. "Dowling has similarities to Tampa so it is going to be another good game. But right now we are happy to be here", says Flanagan as he looks towards another title.

With Toro spirit running high throughout the team they have all taken time to reflect on what has brought them this far in the season, one they have dedicated to former Toro soccer player J.T. Minami who passed away earlier this year. "J.T. is someone you hear stories about. His work ethic, attitude towards life, we all model ourselves after him and the person he was", reflects Mariano after the game as the Toros will now look to honor him with their second trophy.

Sunday's game will not only be broadcasted in live video and stats online, you may also watch on national television. Channel listings are: DirecTV - 613, DISH Network - 152, Time Warner (Long Beach area) - 261 and COX Communication (South Bay) - 321). The game is broadcasted through CBS College Sports Network for those in other areas.
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