No. 1 Toros Begin Defense of Their Title with a 4-1 Victory over Vanguard
Eddie Gonzales-Pinto propels CSUDH to season opening win while Toros unbeaten streak reaches 23 games
August 25, 2001

Complete Box Score

CARSON, Calif.—Eddie Gonzales-Pinto (N. Torrance HS) scored two goals and registered an assist for the No. 1 pre-season ranked Toros leading the defending NCAA II National Champions to a 4-1 season-opening win over visiting Vanguard University today at Toro Field. The win extends their current unbeaten streak to 23-games dating back to September 2, 2000.

Both teams failed to get on the scoreboard in the first half playing to a scoreless tie despite CSUDH out-shooting the Lions 12-4 in the first period. But Gonzales-Pinto got the Toros their first goal early on in the second half when at 47:12 Isidro Torres (Millikan HS) slotted the ball to Gonzales-Pinto who turned and hit the ball to the back of the net from 10-yards away.

Gonzales-Pinto then scored his second goal of the game when Sean Lockhart’s (Palm Springs HS) shot deflected off the Vanguard keeper Tommaso Bianchi. Gonzales-Pinto then collected the ball and slotted the ball to the near post making it 2-0. Four min-utes later Scott White (Sonora HS) gave CSUDH a 3-0 lead at the 69:00 minute mark taking a crossing pass from Gonzales-Pinto and headed the ball to the near post.

Vanguard University (0-1) scored their lone goal of the game at 80:05 when Matthew Hess slotted a cross from Christian Diaz passed a diving Toros goalie Luis Morales (Banning HS) to make it 3-1. However, CSUDH iced the game just over a minute later when Torres scored a penalty kick at 81:23 accounting for the final margin of 4-1. On that play, Scott White was pulled down inside the penalty box by a Lions defender setting up the penalty kick situation.

Gonzales-Pinto’s two goals and an assist were a career-high for the sophomore midfielder. Luis Morales made five saves on the day to earn the win in goal. Morales is still perfect in a CSUDH uniform. Last year he registered an 11-0 record in goal for the national champs. In the game, CSUDH dominated almost throughout playing most of the game on their end of the field out-shooting Vanguard 26-11.

Cal State Dominguez Hills (1-0) is back in action this Wednesday when they host regional foe Western Washington here at Toro Field. Kick-off is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.