By Miguel Lomeli
Staff Writer
The men’s soccer team outlasted No. 25 Cal State Los Angeles on Oct. 11. The game was a rematch for the Toros after their loss just over two weeks ago to the Golden Eagles.
For what was a physical game for the Toros, they were in a battle with the No. 25 team as there were 23 total fouls called.
After the Toros maintained possession for most of the first 25 minutes, the Golden Eagles were able to penetrate the Toros back line and into the box, sending a cross that led to the first goal for CSULA in the 28th minute.
In less than a minute, the Toros were able to answer back with a goal of their own. Sophomore Leonardo Noguiera got the feed from junior Adam Vargas at the top of the box, while fighting off a defender with his left hand, he rifled a shot to the top right corner, just past the outstretched hand of the keeper.
The goal tied the game at one goal apiece in minute 29.
The rest of the first half was controlled by the Toros, who outshot CSULA 12-8, but neither team scored.
The second half had a much slower start and it almost cost the Toros as they had a bad backward pass, which led to a turnover and a one-on-one situation with junior goalkeeper Chase Gentry, but the attacker overshot the ball over the crossbar.
It wasn’t until minute 79 that the Toros were able to generate enough offense to break the tie.
On a rare play that was set up by mostly defenders, a through pass went through to senior Emmanuel Corona, who left the ball off to junior Carlos Torres Jr. and he found the bottom left side of the net for his first goal of the season.
The goal gave the Toros what looked like the deciding goal, but CSULA came back just six minutes later and tied the game again.
A two-on-two situation for CSULA led to a shot that Gentry got a piece of, but not enough, and it hit the back of the net in minute 85.
The Toros avoided extra time by scoring the winning goal with less than a minute left in the match. After a free kick was played into the box, Toro midfielder Vargas got the slow-rolling shot just by the CSULA goalkeeper.
The win was a huge one for the Toros as they got revenge of their only conference loss this season, and they continue their season with a 10-3-1 record.
The Toros play their last two home games on Oct. 26 and 28 at Toro Stadium.
