By Victor Munoz
Sports Editor
It’s fitting that in the final days of Hispanic Heritage Month, which ends tomorrow, that the CSUDH–Cal State LA men’s soccer match yesterday at Toro Stadium recalled the Spanish phrase: “dos a cero es el marcador mas engaños y peligroso.” Translated, it means “two to zero is the most misleading and dangerous lead.”
Saturday’s match was a perfect example, as the Toros trailed the eighth-ranked Golden Eagles 2-0 with six minutes play, but scored twice to equal the score, which after a scoreless overtime, ended 2-2.
.
The Toros entered the match with a defensive scheme and head coach Sean Lockhart was pleased with his players buying into the defensive system.
“A lot has to be said about the players today,” said Lockhart. “Them adhering to the system set forth today, that’s the greatest part about today. And coming back from a two-nil down against one of the top 10 teams in the country, to me as a coach that’s a proud moment.”
Lockhart believed that the defensive approached worked for them.
“Our mindset was to keep it close throughout the game and I felt we did,” Lockhart said. “The defensive stuff kept us in the match. We are just not in the juncture right now, where we could go blow for blow against a team like that.”
The Golden Eagle scored in the sixth minute after Toro goalkeeper Julian Tafolla-Cisneros blocked one shot, but Robin Lindhal got the rebound and put in in the net. In minute 50, that lead increased to, 2-0, as Tim Klefisch capitalized on a penalty kick for a goal.
CSUDH roared back, though. In minute 84, Robert Roosen’s headed the ball into the goal to cut the deficit to 2-1. With a little over a minute left, JD Hauenstein amid heavy traffic, received the rebound and struck it away for the equalizer.
“Scoring in the final minutes was one of the greatest feelings I’ve had in a while,” Hauenstein said. “Scoring in the last minute, playing 110 minutes, and against top 8 teams in the nation and we never gave up. I think that says a lot about our young group we have today.”
Though both teams are part of the California Collegiate Athletic Association, yesterday’s match was a non-conference outing. With the tie, CSUDH’s record is 4-9-1 overall, and their conference record is 4-4. Cal State LA is 10-1-2, 7-0-1. With four conference games remaining, the Toros have 12 points and are tied for seventh place, two points behind two teams that have 14 points. The top six teams advance to the CCAA playoffs
The Toros return to conference play Oct. 19 in a road game against Cal State San Marcos. Two days later, they play UC San Diego on the road and then return home Oct. 25 and Oct. 27.
