Toros Win First Ever NCAA II National Championship with 2-1 OT Win over Barry University
December 3, 2000

MIAMI SHORES, Fla.—Victor Guerrero scored two goals propelling the Cal State Dominguez Hills men’s soccer team to their first ever NCAA Division II National Championship today 2-1 in four overtimes against host Barry University.

Guerrero, a freshman midfielder from Century High School, connected on a header 3:44 into the fourth and final overtime off of a direct kick from Sean Lockhart (Palm Springs HS) from 26-yards out.

“That goal was all heart from me and my team,” said Guerrero. “We were all so spent but at that point the will to win took over.”

CSUDH (23-1-1), ranked No. 1 in the nation since November 8th, found themselves down 1-0 at the half. Barry’s Fitzgerald Clarke knocked in a rebound to the far post off a shot from Alen Marcina. Toro keeper Garrett Estrin (Palm Springs HS) dove to his right and got a hand on it but was unable to hold on.

Both defenses staved off furious rallies keeping the game at 1-0 until the 65th minute of play. It was at 65:36 when Guerrero tallied his first goal tying the game 1-1. Senior defender Tony de Vocht (Damien HS) knocked in a free kick from 45-yards out finding the head of a diving Guerrero driving the ball to the far post.

CS Dominguez Hills had a chance to take the lead in regulation when Alex Bengard (Ayala HS) hit a shot from 35-yards away that caromed off both posts and deflected out where Jacoby Goodfellow cleared the ball for the Buccaneers.

Once again the defenses played well forcing sudden-death overtime. After three fifteen minute sudden death overtime periods, the stage was set for Guerrero’s heroics.

“Set pieces can end the game at any time,” said CSUDH head coach Joe Flanagan. “When we had it there at the top of the box I knew we had a great chance.”

For the Toros the win marks their 13th in a row while also extending their unbeaten streak to 22 games.

“This was lucky #13 for us,” said Flanagan. “This is a dream come true. My team and I will remember this game for the rest of our lives.”

The game was even throughout with chances both ways. CSUDH outshot Barry 26-24 and both goalies made five saves a piece.

“Barry is a great team,” said Flanagan. “They are without a doubt the best team we have faced this year. They did a good job shutting down J.C. Bolanos and Bengard but fortunately our other guys stepped it up.”

The National Championship is the first for the Cal State Dominguez Hills men’s soccer team. It is also the first time ever that a school has garnered national championships for both the men’s and women’s soccer programs at the NCAA Division II level.

Guerrero was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Offensive Player. Joining him on the All-Tournament team were senior defender Tony de Vocht, senior midfielder Alex Bengard and senior goalkeeper Garrett Estrin.