Toros Advance to National Championship Game with 1-0 Win
Rick Cobb scores game-winner in overtime to propel defending national champs
November 30, 2001

TAMPA, Fl--Freshman midfielder Rick Cobb knocked in the game-winning goal in overtime to propel Cal State Dominguez Hills to a 1-0 victory against Dowling College (NY) at the NCAA II national semifinals in Tampa, FL.

After playing to a scoreless tie in regulation, Rick Cobb (Warren HS) took a through ball from Scott White (Sonora HS) and touched in his shot to the near post for the game-winning goal at 100:42.

"It was a great pass from Scott," said Cobb. "All I had to do was put a nice touch on it."

Cal State Dominguez Hills, the defending NCAA II national champions, controlled play nearly from the outset. In regulation, CSUDH held a 16-10 shot advantage and hit the goal post three times in the second half.

"I thought we played well tonight against a very tough team," said Toros head coach Joe Flanagan. "We had some great chances that we weren't able to finish in the second half, but we finally were able to come up with the Golden Goal in overtime."

CSUDH's goalie Luis Morales (Banning HS) had five saves in the game to earn his 12th shutout of the year and fifth in a row.

"Our defense never got rattled tonight," said Flanagan. "The back four and Luis (Morales) were tough. Our experience really showed."

Cal State Dominguez Hills (20-2-1) will face the winner of the other semifinal game between Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville and host school Tampa University. Which team CSUDH faces at this point really doesn't matter.

"I know it sounds like a cliché," states Flanagan. "but it doesn't matter who we play on Sunday. We are just glad to be here and are going to give it all we got to defend our title."