No. 14 Toros Take 3-0 Men's Soccer Win Over Cal Poly Pomona in Physical CCAA Opener
Graham tallies two assists in victory as rivals forge intense battle
September 8, 2006

Complete Box Score

Carson, CA -- Senior Jesse Graham (San Diego, CA/Pt. Loma HS) tallied two assists as the Toros took a 3-0 win over Cal Poly Pomona in both teams’ CCAA Conference opener, a physical battle marred by four cautions and two ejections. With the win, CSUDH stays perfect at 5-0, 1-0 CCAA, while CPP falls to 2-2, 0-1 CCAA.

Junior Sammy Rivas, shown here controlling the ball, had a goal and an assist in the Toros' shutout of CPP Friday night. Up next for CSUDH are the CSUSB Coyotes Sunday, as the homestand continues. Photo by Michael Foo

Graham tallied the first of his assists at 24:15 as the senior midfielder slipped a through ball from inside the 18 yard box to Sammy Rivas (Long Beach, CA/CS Fullerton), who connected far post past Bronco keeper Thomas Ryan for a quick 1-0 lead.

That’s where the score remained when just five minutes later, CPP’s Matthew Barker and CSUDH’s Mario Guerrero (Riverside, CA/La Sierra HS) were red-carded for their involvement in a fracas, leaving both teams a player down the remainder of the game.

The Toros’ high-powered offense wouldn’t be phased without one of its weapons, however, as Graham again instigated a scoring opportunity two minutes into the second half, delivering a free kick to Carmelo Terranova (Saugus, CA/Saugus HS), who beat Ryan for his first goal of the season and a 2-0 advantage.

CSUDH continued to pepper Ryan and CPP in the second half, out-shooting the Broncos 12-3. Junior transfer Julio Madrigal (Inglewood, CA/La Harbor College) garnered the most opportunities as time wound down and finally connected at the 83:48 mark as he took a Rivas feed and blasted his shot to the far post for the proverbial icing on the cake.

Toros keeper Kyle Polak (Huntington Beach, CA/CS Fullerton) and the CSUDH defense were stellar after the break, stifling the Bronco attackers to the tune of just three shots in the half, none of which came on goal, while each team tallied two corners in CSUDH’s shutout win.

The Toros continue CCAA action on Sunday, September 10, as Cal State San Bernardino pays Carson a visit for a 5:30 p.m. first kick.