BOX SCORE


BOX SCORE


TURLOCK, Calif. — Playing one of the most significant matches in its NCAA Division II history, the Cal State Monterey Bay men's soccer team couldn't overcome a red card early in the second half while dropping a 3-0 decision to Cal State Stanislaus Friday evening in Turlock.

The winner of Friday's match would keep its CCAA and NCAA hopes alive. The loser's postseason life would be all but over. Stanislaus took the spoils, improving to 9-5-1 overall and 7-5-1 in the CCAA. CSUMB dropped to 6-7-1 and 6-6-1.
“Stanislaus played the same game it played our place and we played kickball,” said CSUMB Head Coach Rob Cummings.

“Their backs were against the wall just us, but they came up big and we didn't.”

After a scoreless first half, Stanislaus grabbed the lead early in the second when Arturo Pullido curled in a free kick from just outside the penalty area in the 52nd minute. The game turned six minutes later, however, when CSUMB senior defender Eli Zamora was sent off on a disputed straight red. Within 10 minutes, Stanislaus had doubled its lead against 10-man CSUMB Daniel Kuczynski goal and the outcome was, for all intents and purposes, decided.

“Tip your hat on the first goal, that was just a great strike,” said Cummings. “But I strongly disagreed with the red card and that basically was the match.

“For most of our team, this is part of the experience of learning how to win. Now we'll see who steps up for Eli Sunday at Chico and how well we respond as a team.”

The Otters return to action Sunday when they play at Chico State. The Otters return home to close out the regular season with matches against Cal State L.A. Oct. 28 and Cal State Dominguez Hills Oct. 30.