Cal State Dominguez Hills Claims CCAA Women's Soccer Crown With 1-0 Double Overtime Win Over Chico State
Nikki Szlak's rebound goal gives Toros first CCAA crown since 1998
November 7, 2004

Complete Box Score

CARSON, Calif. - Cal State Dominguez Hills senior Nikki Szlak (Long Beach, CA/Los Alamitos HS) scored off a rebound late in the second overtime to give the Toros a 1-0 win over Chico State to win the 2004 California Collegiate Athletic Association Women's Soccer Championship. With the win, the Toros improve to 14-5-3, while the Wildcats fall to 11-5-4.

To the victors go the spoils -- the 2004 CCAA Women's Soccer Championship banner. Photo by Michael Foo

Szlak's goal came after teammate Katie Roche's (Cerritos, CA/Costa Mesa HS) blocked shot found Szlak at the mouth of the goal, and the 5-5 senior seized the opportunity by blasting her shot past Chico goalkeeper C.J. Jimenez to the near post in the 107th minute for the sudden victory. Szlak's shot, her third of the game, gave CSUDH its first CCAA title since 1998 and considerably improved the Toros' NCAA playoff hopes. With Chico State's loss, in its first ever CCAA Conference championship match, the Wildcats' chance of earning a bid was reduced considerably.

The Toros dominated play in regulation as they outshot the Wildcats 23-12, but neither team could get a shot by either goalkeeper. After withstanding an early Wildcat offensive in which CSUC garnered eight shots and four on goal, Monique Castro (San Diego, CA/Mira Mesa HS) and Elizabeth Arreola's (Redondo Beach, CA/Redondo Union HS) led a resurgent defense that limited the Wildcats to three shots after intermission, repeatedly gathering loose balls deep in Toro territory and sending them towards midfield.

CSUDH goalkeeper Mallory Dominguez (San Pedro, CA/Mary Star of the Sea HS) tallied four saves in notching her eighth shutout of the season as the Toros outshot the Wildcats 6-3 after regulation. CSUC goalkeeper Jimenez made eight saves in the loss.

The Toros anticipate receiving a bid to the NCAA postseason during tomorrow's conference call, which will determine which four teams qualify for the NCAA Division II Far West Regional.