Toros Fall to Tritons in First Round Of NCAA Women's Soccer Playoffs, 1-0
UC San Diego scores goal in second half to defeat Toros
November 10, 2005

Complete Box Score

SEATTLE, Wash – The Cal State Dominguez Hills women’s soccer team bowed out early in the NCAA Division II playoffs, falling 1-0 to No. 13 UC San Diego in first round action at Seattle Pacific University.

With the loss the Toros, ranked No. 19 in the latest NSCAA national poll, complete their season with a 14-7-2 record. UC San Diego improves to 18-3-0 and will play the winner of the second semifinal game featuring Chico State and host Seattle Pacific.

CSUDH controlled the action in the first half and out shot the Tritons 4-1, but were unable to find the back of the net.

“I though we played pretty well in the first half,” said assistant coach Jeff Tuttle. “But in the second half we just couldn’t get behind their defense. UCSD made some adjustments after the half, recognized the field conditions and used it to their advantage.”

It was scoreless until five minutes into the second half when Natasha Belak-Burger’s shot from sixteen yards out deflected off a Toro defender and ricocheted to the back of the net past goalie Lisa Agramonte (Lakewood, CA/Mayfair HS), for the only goal of the game.

"Of course we are disappointed with the loss,” says Tuttle, “But we shouldn’t be hanging our heads because UCSD is one of the top teams in the country year in and year out.”

Five seniors finished their collegiate careers in a Toro uniform, including four-year seniors Liz Arreola (Redondo Beach/Redondo Union HS) and Michelle Sena (San Pedro/San Pedro HS). Katie Roche (Costa Mesa/Costa Mesa HS), Darcy Hubbard (Torrance/No. Torrance HS), and Jessica Gatica (Costa Mesa/Mater Dei HS) also played in their final game this evening at Interbay stadium.

Cal State Dominguez Hills next season will return five All-CCAA players, including First-Team selections Rachele McDonald (Ventura/Buena HS), and Tara Senff (Palos Verdes/So. Torrance HS). With another year of NCAA playoff experience under their belt and a solid recruiting class coming in next year, look for the Toros to be one of the top teams in the country again in 2006.