RIVERSIDE - Junior midfielder Adam Vargas scored on a shot from 25-yards out in the 59th minute as the fifth-seeded Cal State Dominguez Hills men's soccer team defeated 18th-ranked and fourth-seeded Cal State LA by a final score of 1-0 in the first round of the NCAA Championship, Thursday at Lancer Soccer Field on the campus of California Baptist. The Toros move on to face host-California Baptist, who received a first-round bye, in the second round of the NCAA Championship on Saturday, Nov. 11 at 1 p.m.
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It was the fourth battle of the season between the two California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) schools that are separated by less than 20 miles. The season series was even at 1-1-1 coming into the match with both teams winning at home during the regular season. The Golden Eagles eliminated the CSUDH in penalty kicks at the CCAA Tournament, but that result was officially recorded as a 1-1 double overtime draw.
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The Toros improve their record to 13-4-3 overall. CSULA finishes its season with a 14-5-3 record.
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CSUDH had the upper hand on shots, 18-8, and on corner kicks, 7-3. The Toros dominated the first half with a 12-2 shot advantage, but could not get anything into the net and went into halftime in a 0-0 stalemate.
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Vargas broke the draw in the 59th minute as he recovered a clearance on the left side, took a dribble inside and shot a right-footed laser from the top left corner of the box to the right of Golden Eagle goalkeeper Steven Barrera. Vargas now has a team-high seven goals on the season.
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From there, the Toros endured six CSULA shots in the final 30 minutes, including two in the last five, to earn the win. CSUDH goalkeeper
Chase Gentry earned his ninth shutout of the season with three saves.Â
The Toros will now face first-seeded and second-ranked California Baptist, recipients of a first-round bye, in the second round of the NCAA Championship on Saturday, Nov. 11 at 1 p.m. Live stats and video will be available
here.Â
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