SEASIDE, Calif. — Cal State Monterey Bay didn't win the CCAA title Saturday afternoon, but the Otters played a huge role in determining who did by earning a 0–0 draw with the No. 18 UC San Diego on senior day at the Otter Sports Complex.

CSUMB's draw—combined with Cal State Dominguez Hills' 3–0 win over Stanislaus State Saturday afternoon—lifts the Toros to the title. It also allows Cal Poly Pomona to grab the No. 2 seed and a first round bye in next weekend's CCAA Championship Tournament.

Those results are under review pending eligibility confirmation of the participating teams. 

For what it's worth, UCSD won Saturday's statistical battle, out–shooting the Otters 15–5 while generating eight corner's to CSUMB's four. But both defenses remained composed and true scoring chances were few and far between.
The Tritons threatened first when Otter freshman Jesus Ochoa (Modesto/Enochs HS) extended fully to guide Jonathan Sabouri's attempt from high in the penalty area over the bar in the 14th minute. Brett Jones gave Otters fans a scare when he hit the near post from a sharp angle in the 39th minute.

Sabouri and Christian Cordell called Ochoa into action twice in the final 2:23 of regulation, though both saves were relatively routine.

Each team had a glorious chance to score in the first overtime period. UCSD almost scored a fluke goal off a Brett Jones corner kick when the ball came out of the mixer, off the ground, then off the bottom of the crossbar. Makenna Pendelton (Archbishop Mitty HS) just missed ending it 17 seconds from the horn when Pedro Enciso just got his fingertips on a rocket destined for the lower far corner.

UCSD registered the only two shots of the final overtime period, but neither came close.
 

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THE MATCH WAS OVER WHEN… Pedro Enciso made a brilliant save of Makenna Pendleton's wicked effort in the 110th minute.

SENIOR DAY GIANT SLAYERS… Saturday's draw marks the first time CSUMB has taken points off a ranked team since defeating then No. 22 Chico State 2–0 on Nov. 3, 2013. That, for the record, was also senior day for the Otters.

THREE IS GOOD FOR THIRD… Jesus Ochoa posted his third shutout of the season (and his second of the weekend) with Saturday's blanking of UCSD. Three shutouts tie him for third on the CSUMB single–season list. 

LEADERS OF THE RAFT… POINTS: None; GOALS: None; ASSISTS: None; SHOTS: Five Otters 1; SAVES: Jesus Ochoa 3.

THE LAST WORD… "I'm really pleased with today's performance. We showed immense grit and character to tie a very good team. Four points in our last two games is a great foundation leading into the spring." — CSUMB Head Coach Shane Carew

THEY'VE GOT NEXT…  The Otters brought the curtain down on 2017 with Saturday's match. They'll return to the field with a handful of friendlies in the spring. Follow Otter soccer on www.OtterAthletics.com for details as they become available.