The No. 19 UCSD men’s soccer team concluded its 2005 regular season with two close matches: a 1-1 double-overtime tie with Cal State San Bernardino on Oct. 26 and a 1-0 overtime win over Cal State Los Angeles on Oct. 29.
“As the [Cal State San Bernardino] game went on, we made considerable improvement,” head coach Derek Armstrong said.
The two teams battled bitterly for the two remaining berths in the California Collegiate Athletic Association Championships slated to begin Nov. 4.
Capturing the momentum in the 11th minute, Cal State San Bernardino freshman Daniel Rodriguez scored his second goal of the season with a crossing pass by senior Barry Steele.
In order to secure the initial one-point lead, Rodriguez slid the ball past UCSD’s senior goalkeeper Edward Ruhland, just inside the near post.
It was only the 10th goal surrendered by UCSD’s defense in 16 matches.
“Our defense helped save us from losing and helped set up the tie,” Armstrong said.
The Tritons were largely bereft of viable scoring opportunities for the remainder of the first half, with Cal State San Bernardino’s formidable defense holding them to no shots on goal.
“We did not do so well in the first half, but we did a lot better by the second half, which helped us to finish positively,” Armstrong said.
By the second half, the Tritons became more assertive, finally getting the tying goal off a penalty kick in the 68th minute.
The kick came off the foot of senior Matt Davey, his fourth penalty kick of the season and 10th goal of the year.
Two overtimes thrust the two teams into 20 minutes of fiercely fought action, during which UCSD continued to threaten the Coyote goal.
Late into the match, UCSD forced senior Cal State San Bernardino goalkeeper Jeff Canada to stop two low hard shots.
“We ended up the stronger of the two teams,” Armstrong said.
Both teams were closely matched. UCSD has records of 10-4-2 overall and 7-4-2 in CCAA play, and has accumulated 23 points, while Cal State San Bernardino has records of 9-9-2 overall and 7-6-1 in league play and has garnered 22 points.
The Tritons next test will come against Sonoma State in the CCAA playoffs on Nov. 4 in Turlock. From there, the Tritons will vie to reach the CCAA Championship game and the NCAA Division II playoffs.
