Toros Storm Into CCAA’s South Division Lead After 1-0 Men's Soccer Win Over Cal State Bakersfield
Lopez tallies game’s lone goal on penalty kick at 54:47 for game-winner
October 13, 2006

Complete Box Score

Carson, CA -- Not even Mother Nature could dampen the mood of the Cal State Dominguez Hills men’s soccer team after taking a 1-0 victory over visiting Cal State Bakersfield Friday night. Tthe Toros’ win, coupled with Cal State L.A.’s 1-0 loss at UC San Diego, propels CSUDH into first place in the CCAA’s south division, exactly 14 days after a loss to Humboldt State dropped the Toros to the bottom of the south division standings.

With the win, CSUDH improves to 11-5-1, 7-5-1 CCAA and is one point ahead of the Golden Eagles with Sunday’s showdown against its cross-town rival awaiting. CSUB, ineligible for postseason competition due to its move to Division I, drops to 10-5-2, 6-5-2 CCAA.

Defense took center stage in the first half as the two teams combined for nine shots, with CSUB goalie Steve Trojanowski making three saves compared to CSUDH keeper Kyle Polak’s (Huntington Beach, CA/CS Fullerton) one.

The game remained scoreless until the 55th minute with a streaking Jesse Graham (San Diego, CA/Pt. Loma HS) was taken down inside the box by Trojanowski, resulting in a Toro penalty kick opportunity.

After connecting for just one PK in four chances on the year, including an 0-for-2 night in the 3-2 loss at Cal State L.A. on September 21, Humberto Lopez (Bellflower, CA/Cerritos College) made it 2-for-5 on the year as he drilled his shot past a diving Trojanowski, despite the CSUB keeper guessing correctly with a dive to his right.

CSUB’s Rigoberto Pinera had a chance to knot the game after he took a slip pass from Towa Manda in the 69th minute, but Pinera sailed his shot wide of the goal, keeping the game at 1-0.

That’s when the officials suspended play for approximately six minutes as lightning flashes and booming thunder made their appearances more frequent.

After play resumed with heavy rain in tow, the Toros had a chance to add onto their lead, but a Julio Madrigal (Inglewood, CA/LA Harbor College) blast from 6 yards out and a Mario Guerrero (Riverside, CA/La Sierra HS) rocket after a 20-yard dribble both went for naught.

Polak notched his league-leading 10th shutout of the year as he recorded two saves, while Trojanowski saved four balls in the loss. CSUDH outshot CSUB 14-9, including 10-4 in the decisive second half, and enjoyed a 6-1 cushion in corners.

The Toros play their final regular season home game on Sunday at 3 p.m. against cross-town rival Cal State L.A. in a battle for 1st place in the south, after honoring five seniors playing their last home game at Toro Stadium in a pre-game ceremony.