AZUSA, Calif. – In tight defensive battle, Cal State L.A. came out with a 1-0 victory over Azusa Pacific in the second round of the NCAA Division II men’s soccer championship.
The Golden Eagles move on to play at Seattle Pacific next week in the west regional final.
There were seven total shots on goal in a physical defensive game that featured 34 total fouls and five yellow cards.
The game’s best chance early on came when Abel Teferi hit a hard shot less than five minutes into the contest when but rocketed wide right from 30 yards out.
Neither team was able to get a quality chance until the 33rd minute when Andre Bissmark put a shot from the right side just past the right post and out of bounds.
After the first 45 minutes of action there wasn’t a shot on goal and overall shots were three for each team.
The game’s first official shot on goal came in the 56th minute when Caleb Canderlaria put a header on net from 10 yards out. Golden Eagles goal keeper Mike Beigarten made a rather routine save. The Cougars continued to push the ball forward and a few minutes later Carlos Garcia-Partida had a bending shot right just high and wide from the upper right corner.
Cal State L.A. had a great chance on a free kick in the 60th minute. Herbert Biste had a free kick from 25 yards out bend around the Azusa Pacific wall of defenders but it was punched out by goal keeper T.J. Jaramillo.
The scoreless contest had its first goal in the 65th minute when Bissmark controlled a bouncing ball that Jaramillo couldn’t quite grab at the top of the box. Bissmark took one dribble and deposited the ball in the back of the net.
Keyran Kelly worked hard to create a shot for himself in the 71st minute. He got a shot off amid a host of defenders but it wasn’t a crisp attempt as Beigarten scooped-up the ball.
The Cougars had one final push in the 90th minute. Luke Ackermann was able to get a right footed volleyed-shot on goal but Beigarten made the save.
Acting Cal State L.A. Head Coach Michael Jacobson
“Our guys really stuck to the plan. We have a way of playing and our way is really difficult for other teams to try and figure out and break down. We asked our guys to make it difficult to play against them and they did that tonight.”
On the Bissmark’s goal –
“As the ball was being played we wanted to turn the defender’s back and Andre got good position on his defender and he is a good goal scorer and he did a great job creating and finishing the opportunity.”
Azusa Pacific Head Coach Dave Blomquist
“It was a difficult one. Cal State L.A. is a great team. Their defense was swarming and it made it difficult on us. They did a great job defensively.”
“For being a first year NCAA Division II program, to win the conference and earn the second seed in the region is great for the program. They guys who have put in the work the last few years during the transition deserve a lot of credit for making this evening possible.