Toros Move Up to 23rd in Latest NSCAA/adidas Men's Soccer Poll
CSUDH continues home stand against UC San Diego in crucial conference contest
October 3, 2006

Carson, CA -- Despite splitting its two CCAA Conference games last week, the Cal State Dominguez Hills men’s soccer team jumped from No. 24 to No. 23 in this week’s NSCAA/adidas Top 25 poll, it was announced by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.

The Toros, sporting an 8-5-0, 4-5-0 CCAA record, dropped a 1-0 decision to Humboldt State last Friday, before handing defending CCAA Champion Sonoma State a 5-0 drubbing two days later, with senior Jesse Graham (San Diego, CA/Pt. Loma HS) scoring the game-winner and notching an assist for good measure. CSUDH also was bolstered by two goals apiece from Scott Mariano (Artesia, CA/Gahr HS) and Julio Madrigal (Inglewood, CA/LA Harbor College), and three saves by keeper Kyle Polak (Huntington Beach, CA/CS Fullerton), who notched his league-leading 6th shutout of the year in the win.

Entering tomorrow’s contest versus UC San Diego, which is tied for 2nd in the CCAA’s south division and two points ahead of the Toros, CSUDH finds itself in unfamiliar territory as it sits in 4th in the south, and tied for 7th overall in a conference that includes just four teams in its year-end tournament.

Polak, however, continues to shine in his final year in Cardinal & Gold, leading the CCAA in shutouts and goals against average, sitting 3rd in save percentage and 9th in total saves. Additionally, the Huntington Beach native established himself as the all-time career wins leader in CSUDH history with his 37th career win on September 10 and needs just one shutout to tie for the Toros’ all-time record of 22 in a career, currently held by Chris Wilson (1986-89).

The Toros were the only CCAA squad to be ranked and currently sit 3rd in the NCAA’s West Region poll behind Seattle Pacific and Seattle University, while Sonoma State received national votes with its 9-4-0 mark, despite its 5-0 loss. Defending NCAA Champion Fort Lewis (CO), which bested the Toros in a 2005 NCAA Quarterfinal, lost its first game since 2004 and fell to No. 5, while Lynn (FL), Franklin Pierce (NH), Dowling (NY) and Carson-Newman (TN) comprise the top 4.

CSUDH entertains the Tritons tomorrow at 4:30 p.m., before hitting the road the weekend of October 6. The Toros then conclude their home stand with contests against Cal State Bakersfield on Friday, October 13, and Cal State L.A. on Sunday, October 15, with the battle against the cross-town rival Golden Eagles marking the final regular season home game for six Toros seniors.