CSUDH Men's Soccer Weekly Release
October 28, 2002

THIS WEEK IN TOROS SOCCER
Oct. 30 #11 CSUDH vs. #7 Cal State Bakersfield Toro Field, 3 PM
Nov. 2 #11 CSUDH @ Cal State L.A. Jesse Owens Stadium, 3 PM

LOOKING AHEAD:
After defeating Cal State Stanislaus 5-0 last Saturday, the Toros will now turn their attention to Cal State Bakersfield on Wednesday who are ranked No. 7 in the national polls and who leap-frogged the Toros last week into the top spot in the Far West Region ranking's. CSUDH will close out the regular season on Saturday at Cal State L.A.

TOROS SILENCE WARRIORS, 5-0:
Cal State Dominguez Hills scored three times in the second half - twice with a one-man advantage, as the visiting Toros defeated the CSU Stanislaus Warriors, 5-0, Saturday. Junior midfielder Victor Guerrero (Century HS) and senior forward Gabriel Valencia (Salesian HS) scored first half goals for the Toros as they improve to 14-3-1 overall and 11-1 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. Cal State Dominguez Hills scored its third goal, by Eddie Gonzales-Pinto (N. Torrance HS), 10 minutes into the second half for a 3-0 advantage on an assist by senior forward Scott White (Sonora HS). Things turned a little scary when CSUS's Tony Amaral was called for dangerous conduct and was ejected after tackling White with no intention of going for the ball. White had to leave the game and did not return. After that, the Toros tacked on two more scores in the final 15 minutes of the match. Michael Jimenez (Bishop Montgomery HS) tallied his second goal of the year in the 75th minute and Eduardo Serrano (Toluca, Mexico) scored his team-leading 12th goal of the year in the 87th minute. Cal State Dominguez Hills dominated throughout and outshot the Warriors 23-3. Starting goalie Javier Barragan (LB Jordan HS) and backup Scott Wilson (S. Torrance HS) were not tested at all in the game. Barragan and Wilson, who started the second half, did not have to register a save in the match. The shutout is the 11th of the year for the stingy Toros defense and the fourth in the last five games.

BIG SHOWDOWN SET, TOROS TO HOST ROADRUNNERS:
The battle lines have been drawn and the field is set for Wednesday's big showdown as Cal State Bakersfield visits Toro Field. CSUDH's win on Saturday and the Roadrunner's victory over Cal State L.A., 3-0, on the same day assured that these two rivals would clash for CCAA Central Division supremacy on the line. The division winner will be the top seed in the CCAA Championship Tournament (Nov. 7-10) at Sonoma State. Also at stake is the top spot in the NCAA II Far West Region. The 'Runners come into the week No. 1 in the region and CSUDH is now No. 2.

THE LAST TIME WE MET:
The Toros and the 'Runners faced off earlier this season in Bakersfield with CSUDH earning the shutout, 2-0. After a scoreless first half, Juventino Morfin (Lincoln HS) tallied the game-winner in the 74th minute on a header, inside a crowded box, off a beautiful serve from Eddie Gonzales-Pinto. As CSUB pushed forward for the equalizer, the Toros countered for an insurance goal in the 86th minute. Senior all-america forward Gabriel Valencia ran unmarked in the box and headed home a Victor Guerrero free kick to account for all the scoring. For the Toros, it was their third consecutive win on the year and extended a 6-game unbeaten streak at the time. CSUDH would go on to win five more consecutive games for an 8-game win streak, beginning the year unbeaten in its first 11 games. For the 'Runners, the loss was the last as they have gone on to win their next 13 games, two of them in double overtime.

SERIES NOTES:
In 44 meetings, the Toros hold a lopsided 28-12-4 series advantage. Since 1996, CSUDH has gone 10-3 against the 'Runners including a run of eight wins from late 1997 to 2001. The Toros knocked out CSUB in the first round of the NCAA's last year with a 1-0 win here in Carson.

THE TORO CHARGE:
CSUDH is now 14-3-1 overall and tied with CSUB for the CCAA Central lead with an 11-1-0 mark. The Toros moved up a spot in the national polls and are ranked No. 11 this week while maintaining its No. 2 position in the regional rankings. CSUDH is undefeated at home in CCAA play with a perfect 6-0-0 record and is 9-0-1 overall in Carson. The squad has struggled as of late on the road which accounts for all three of its losses (5-3-0). Forward Eduardo Serrano paces the Toros balanced attack which also includes six players in double figures. Serrano has 27 points with a team-best 12 goals. The 6-1 junior also leads the squad with four game-winning shots. Junior play-maker Victor Guerrero leads the team with 10 assists and has 18 points on the year. In between the posts, Javier Barragan has been nothing short of spectacular. The 6-0 junior has registered a 0.64 GAA and eight shutouts. He has allowed only 10 goals while making 60 saves in 17 games.

INJURY UPDATE:
Starting senior forward Scott White (16 pts./6g, 4a), who suffered a knee injury on Saturday, is questionable for both games this week. He is scheduled for a medical examination today to determine the extent of injury. At this time, it does not appear to be season-ending. Starting defender Nathan Reeves (Lakewood HS) sat out for a second consecutive game with a groin injury. He is probable for Wednesday's matchup against the 'Runners. Defender Brian Suarez (Mary Star of the Sea HS), who suffered a severe ankle sprain against Grand Canyon on Sept. 27, has not played since but is probable for Wednesday's game.

THE COACH:
Head coach Joe Flanagan is in his ninth season at the helm of the Toros program. Last year Flanagan led CSUDH to its second consecutive appearance in the NCAA II National Championship game only to succumb to University of Tampa 2-1 in the final minutes of the game. Flanagan, the 2001 NCAA II Far West Region Coach of the Year, became the Toros all-time winningest coach last year and now is 117-54-9 (.675). CSUDH has now won the past three CCAA titles and is the two-time defending Far West Regional champ. Flanagan is the 15th winningest active coach at the NCAA II level behind legendary Seattle Pacific mentor Cliff McCrath.

NSCAA/NCAA II National Ranking as of October 28, 2002
1 Southern Connecticut State 14-0-2
2 Mercyhurst College (PA) 13-0-0
3 Barry University (FL) 12-1-1
4 Univ. of South Carolina-Spartanburg 14-1-0
5 University of Incarnate Word (TX) 12-0-3
6 Lynn University (FL) 13-1-1
7 Cal State Bakersfield 16-2-0
8 East Stroudsburg Univ. (PA) 13-1-1
9 Lewis University (IL) 13-4-0
10 Midwestern State University (TX) 11-0-4
11 Cal State Dominguez Hills 14-3-1
12 W. Virginia Wesleyan 14-3-1
13 So. New Hampshire University 13-2-2
14 Clayton State (GA) 12-2-1
15 Rockhurst University (MO) 12-2-0
16 Univ. of Central Arkansas 13-1-2
17 Sonoma State 14-3-0
18 West Chester University (PA) 14-3-3
19 Colorado School of Mines 12-4-1
20 Southhampton College (NY) 7-1-2
21 Tusculum College (TN) 13-2-1
22 Merrimack (MA) 12-4-2
22 Univ. of District of Columbia 12-4-2
24 Queens College (NC) 13-0-2
25 Truman State (MO) 9-4-0
Also receiving votes: Bloomsburg (PA), UC Davis

NSCAA/NCAA II Far West Region Ranking as of 10/27/02
1. CS Bakersfield (16-2-0)
2. CSUDH (14-3-1)
3. Sonoma State (14-3-0)
4. UC Davis (11-5-1)
5. West. Wash. (11-4-1)
6. Seattle Univ. (10-5-1)
7. Seattle Pacific (9-5-1)
8. UC San Diego (9-5-0)
9. Cal Poly Pom. (8-7-1)
10. CS San Bern. (8-7-1)

TOROS SPORTS HOTLINE:
For results, schedules and other information on Toros soccer, call the Toros Sports Hotline 24 hours a day at (310) 243-3174.

TOROS ON THE WEB:
Follow Toros athletics on the web. For latest scores, recaps and statistics, just stay where you are!