Women’s Soccer Back in Conference Playoffs

Photo courtesy of Toro Athletics

By Todd Mathews

Junior Holly Kaemerle’s shot in the 19th minute got a piece of the goalie’s hand but also found its way to the back of the net, and the Toro defense held on to fend off host San Francisco State 1-0 Saturday to clinch the CSUDH women’s soccer team’s first playoff berth since 2009.

The Toros play Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 6 p.m. against Cal State Stanislaus.

Kaemerle’s goal was her eighth of the season, good for third in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. Sophomore Vanessa Campos’ pass set up Kaemerle’s shot.

The Toros outshot the Gators 12-5 and CSUDH keeper Alyssa Newsome registered two saves.

With the victory, Toro head coach Marine Cano reclaimed the record for most wins as a CSUDH women’s soccer coach. Cano led the Toros from 1984-1994, including guiding them to an NCAA Division II championship in 1991.

Cano returned to the helm last season.

The Toros were shut out Set. 29 by Cal State Stanislaus, 3-0, which dropped CSUDH to a 1-5-1 record. But a double-overtime tie over UC Santa Cruz followed by a 1-0 whitewash of Cal State Los Angeles righted the ship, and the team has won its last four games.

With the regular-season finale win, the Toros end the regular season at 6-4-1 in conference and 8-7-2 overall, good for fourth place. Stanislaus State finished 8-4, 14-4.