BOX SCORE

BOX SCORE

POSTGAME COMMENTS FROM ROB CUMMINGS



SEASIDE, Calif. — The Cal State Monterey Bay men's soccer team capped one of its most successful weekends ever with a 2–0 win over Cal State Stanislaus Sunday at the Otter Sports Complex.

At 3–2–1 in conference play (3–3–1 overall), the Otters are off to their best–ever CCAA start. The 2007 Otters started 2–2–2 en route to a school record 6–5–3 CCAA mark.

Stanislaus came into the weekend ranked No. 7 in the West Region. Combined with Friday's 2–1 win over No. 4 Chico State, it marked the first time ever that the Otters beat two ranked teams in the same weekend.

“I don't think words can describe the feeling right now, with both these teams coming off big weekends last week, Chico coming off an NCAA Quarterfinal appearance last year and both teams regionally ranked,” says CSUMB Head Coach Rob Cummings. “I have great respect for (both) coaches and they have great teams. But for our guys, this is a testament to what they're doing.”

Though scoreless, Sunday's first half proved incredibly entertaining with a frenetic pace and end to end action resulting in scoring opportunities for both teams. But it was the second half that brought Otter fans to their feet.

CSUMB opened the scoring when a failed Stanislaus clearance found junior midfielder Max Brixey (Truckee HS) in the middle of the penalty area. Brixey turned and half–volleyed a rocket past diving Stanislaus goalkeeper Bill Hambelton to put the Otters on top in the 62nd minute.

Stanislaus stepped up the pressure, but the few times the Warriors managed to unlock the Otter back four, senior goalkeeper Sam Campanelli (Palmdale/Highland HS) stood on his head to make big saves and preserve his second clean sheet of the season.

Stanislaus drew a break in the 76th minute when Otter reserve midfielder Alex Shuler (West Hills/Oak Park HS) drew a straight red card to put CSUMB down a man. But even that couldn't derail the Otters on this day.

Playing down a man on the counter attack, junior midfielder Eric Pratt (Truckee HS) got behind the Warrior defense down the right flank. Pratt sent a short pass to the edge of the box, where Brixey moved it along to the far post for Julian Salas (Long Beach/Lakewood HS) to drive home for his first goal of the season in the 89th minute.

The Otters will look to post their third consecutive conference win for the first time since Oct. 16–21, 2005 when they travel to UC San Diego, Friday evening.








Goals by period       1  2  Tot
-------------------------------
CSU Stanislaus......  0  0 -  0
CSU Monterey Bay....  0  2 -  2

SCORING SUMMARY:
  1.  61:57 CSUMB Max Brixey (2) (unassisted) - finishes failed clearance from middle of box
  2.  88:40 CSUMB Julian Salas (1) (Eric Pratt;Max Brixey) - tap tap across goal mouth

Shots: CSU Stanislaus 12, CSU Monterey Bay 11
Saves: CSU Stanislaus 5 (Bill Hambelton 5), CSU Monterey Bay 6 (Sam Campanelli 6)