Toros Soccer Programs Honored for Postseason Excellence
February 25, 2006

Carson, CA -- Cal State Dominguez Hills honored its men’s and women’s soccer teams during halftime of the men’s basketball contest last night, giving each member an NCAA medal commemorating their participation in the 2005 NCAA postseason.

Pictured with the soccer teams and coaches are CSUDH President James E. Lyons, Sr. and CSUDH Athletics Director Patrick Guillen. Click on photo for larger size.File photo courtesy Michael Foo

“I am continually impressed with the performance on the field by both of our soccer teams,” begins Patrick Guillen, CSUDH Athletics Director. “Both programs are among the top in the country year in and year out, and head coach Joe Flanagan has done a tremendous job, especially when you consider that he is responsible for both squads. I appreciate the entire coaching staff and am proud of our student-athletes who work so hard on the field and in the classroom.”

The men’s squad, which finished 17-5-2 overall and 9-3-2 in the CCAA, captured the NCAA 2005 Far West Regional Championship with a scintillating 2-1 overtime victory over perennial power Seattle Pacific. They then dropped a 3-2 NCAA Quarterfinal decision to undefeated Fort Lewis College, who eventually claimed the 2005 National Championship.

The Toros were rewarded for their hard work by boasting one 3rd-team All-American in sophomore Kei Kamara (Lawndale, CA/Leuzinger HS), since taken in the MLS SuperDraft as the 9th pick overall by the Columbus Crew, and three 1st-team All-Region selections in Kamara, and seniors Francisco Corona (Paramount, CA/LA Harbor JC) and Jaret Minami (Torrance, CA/West Torrance HS).

The women’s squad qualified for the NCAA postseason for the third-consecutive year, where they fell 1-0 to CCAA-foe UC San Diego. Completing the 2005 campaign with a 14-7-2 overall and 8-4-2 CCAA mark, CSUDH placed junior Rachele McDonald (Ventura, CA/Ventura College) and senior Elizabeth Arreola (Redondo Beach, CA/Redondo Union HS) on the 1st-team All-Region team, and sophomore Tara Senff (Palos Verdes Estates, CA/South HS) on the 2nd-team All-Region squad.

Coach Flanagan’s men’s squad will return six starters and their starting goalkeep next season, while the women’s squad looks to return eight players, along with their starting goalkeep in 2006.