Cal State Dominguez Hills Wins Fourth Straight CCAA Men's Soccer Title
Defeats Cal State Bakersfield 2-0 Sunday in Finals
November 10, 2002

Courtesy CCAA Media Relations Office

Complete Box Score

ROHNERT PARK, Calif. ­ Eduardo Serrano and Ryan Taylor each scored second-half goals to lead CAL STATE DOMINGUEZ HILLS to a 2-0 win over rival CAL STATE BAKERSFIELD in the final of the 2002 California Collegiate Athletic Association Men's Soccer Championship.

The win gave the Toros their fourth straight CCAA crown, the most consecutive titles since Cal State Northridge won six in a row from 1984-89, including a co-championship with CSUDH in 1988.

Cal State Dominguez Hills, ranked 6th in NCAA Division II, improved to 18-3-1 on the season. Bakersfield, ranked 10th nationally, dropped to 17-4-1. Both teams will await the NCAA postseason selections, along with CCAA counterpart SONOMA STATE, which stands at 16-3-1. CSUDH will most likely host either Bakersfield or Sonoma for the NCAA Far West Region Championship on Saturday, Nov. 16.

The Toros and Cal State Bakersfield played a scoreless first half, though CSUB couldn't take advantage of a golden opportunity in the seventh minute. Kyle Gookins drive from the left side was inadvertently touched in the penalty box by CSUDH defender Sean Silveri. That set up a penalty kick for Fabian Sandoval, but Sandoval's attempt right was stymied by Toro goalie Javier Barragan.

"Javier doesn't get the credit he deserves," Toro coach Joe Flanagan said. "That save was huge and is a testament to the fact that he's one of the best keepers in the CCAA."

Barragan's save was one of several terrific defensive efforts made by both clubs. Less than four minutes into the second half, momentum shifted to the three-time defending champions for good. Bakersfield's Sandoval was assessed a red card for kicking fallen CSUDH midfielder Eddie Gonzales-Pinto following a dead ball.

The Toros converted the one-man advantage less than two minutes later when Serrano took a slot pass from Jaret Minami and fired the game-winning goal under and to the left of CSUB goalie Josh Wicks at 50:31.

Taylor iced the Toros' fourth straight CCAA crown when his blast from the right side in the 81st minute ricocheted off Wicks' hands over his head and inside the upper far post.

Cal State Dominguez Hills' outshot Bakersfield 23-8, thanks in large part to its staunch defense.

"Our strength is in the back, and our defenders battle hard and play hard for each other," Flanagan said. "Any loose ball, we do a good job of pouncing on it."

Cal State Dominguez Hills  0 2 = 2 
Cal State Bakersfield      0 0 = 0

Scoring
CSUDH ­ Eduardo Serrano (Jaret Minami) 50:31.
CSUDH ­ Ryan Taylor 80:02.

Shots: CSUDH 23; CSUB 8.

Corner Kicks: CSUDH 6; CSUB 4.

Goalkeeper Saves: Javier Barragan (CSUDH) 4; Josh Wicks (CSUB) 10.

Fouls: CSUDH 23; CSUB 18.

Cautions/Ejections: CSUDH ­ Michael Jimenez (Y, 42:25), Victor Guerrero (Y, 52:00), Jaret Minami (Y, 58:27); CSUB ­ Armando Morales (Y, 38:26), Fabian Sandoval (R, 48:48); Kyle Lundy (Y, 54:59); Kyle Gookins (Y, 58:30).

Attendance: 200.