Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

Cal State Dominguez Hills Athletics

Upcoming Events & Results

Composite Calendar
FloSports

Men's Soccer

Sonoma State Dethrones No. 24 Toros for CCAA Crown in 1-0 Decision

Forward Greg Piechota tallied 5 shots, with both on frame, for the Toros in the CCAA title game
Box Score
TURLOCK -- Twenty-fourth ranked and 4th-seeded Cal State Dominguez Hills enjoyed a dominating performance over 3rd-seeded Sonoma State in all but one category, but that category was the only one that mattered in SSU's 1-0 win over the Toros to supplant CSUDH as the new CCAA Champion.

"We had some early chances, but we didn't put shots on frame, which definitely hurt us," begins CSUDH head coach Joe Flanagan.  "And we couldn't really get a rhythm going today."

The Seawolves' win snapped a four-game losing streak against the Toros, and is not only just SSU's fourth win in the two teams' last 16 meetings, but also just the second win in the last seven meetings in the CCAA Tournament dating back to 2004.

Sunday's contest, played in 61 degree weather and in the rain, pitted two teams that competed against each other in the previous three CCAA title match-ups, with SSU evening the series at two titles apiece with this year's victory.

Defense ruled in the first 45-minute session as the teams combined for just eight shots in a scoreless period.

Just 1:36 into the second half, however, the Seawolves capitalized on the first shot of the frame as Cam Vickers took a feed from Trevor Hurst, and sent his heater past Toro keeper Markus Dickerson for the game's first score.

Increasing its offensive pressure, the Toros rattled off 13 shots to just 4 for SSU, but the Seawolf defense was up to the challenge, limiting the high-powered CSUDH offense to just two shots on frame all day, including just one in the second half, a blast from Greg Piechota (pictured) that SSU keeper Juan Sosa saved in the 69th minute.

CSUDH had one last gasp in the 87th minute, but Ernie Ramos' effort hit the post and was cleared by the SSU defense, quelling all hopes of a Toro repeat, and bringing the Seawolves to 14-5-1 overall.

The Toros garnered 19 shots to just 6 for SSU, and enjoyed a 5-1 edge in corners.  A physical contest befitting arch-rivals, 36 fouls were called on the two teams, with 8 total cards issued.

Dickerson, Billy Gutierrez, Alex Munoz, Scott Locken and Jordan Rover all were named to the All-CCAA Tournament Team, tying with CCAA Champion Sonoma State for the most honors.

Looking forward to the NCAA tournament, Flanagan is cautiously optimistic.  "With us beating Chico on Friday, we hope to get in, and we'll definitely be happy if we get in.  But no matter who we draw, we're very familiar with at least two of the teams that will get in in CSUSB and SSU, and we played Grand Canyon in a pre-season match so we know about them as well; but regardless of who we play and where, we know we're in for a battle.

"But we'll be ready."

CSUDH, now 14-5-2, will indeed await its fate for one of four at-large bids for next weekend's NCAA West Region Tournament, with its seed, opponent and location to be determined tomorrow at 4:00 pm PST.
Print Friendly Version