SAN MARCOS, Calif. — Playing the final 72 minutes down a man, the Cal State Monterey Bay men's soccer team suffered another excruciating setback as host Cal State San Marcos rallied with a second–half penalty kick and then an own goal three minutes from time to take a 2–1 decision Sunday afternoon at The Cage.

CSUMB took the lead early when Harry Barba (Yucaipa HS) waltzed around San Marcos goalkeeper Justin Tesar—who had strayed far from his line—and fed a short pass to Pedro Hernandez (Mt. Diablo HS), who slotted home his first of the season to give the Otters a 1–0 lead in the 35th minute.

CSUMB went down a man less than a minute later when George Gonzalez (North County HS) drew a straight red. Nevertheless, the Otter backline held firm until the referee awarded a penalty to San Marcos on 65 minutes. Bryan Morrison finished to tie the game.

The match appeared headed to extra time until a free kick was awarded to San Marcos just outside the right edge of the Otter box in the 87th minute. The Cougars sent the ball into the mixer where an Otter defender eventually knocked in the match–deciding own goal.
 

---

THE MATCH WAS OVER WHEN… San Marcos keeper Justin Tesar saved a shot by Luis Lopez and Rudy Pedroza's follow went over the cross bar with less than a minute remaining in regulation.

WELCOME TO THE CLUB… Pedro Hernandez became the fourth Otter to score a goal this season with his first–half tally Sunday.

NOT BETTER LATE THAN NEVER… In all four of CSUMB's losses this season, the winning goal game in the 80th minute or later. Two of those defeats came in overtime.

IF IT WASN'T FOR BAD LUCK… CSUMB already has four 1–goal losses on the season. It has had more than that in an entire season just six times in it's men's soccer history. In fact, the school record for 1–goal losses is just seven, set back in 2008.

LEADERS OF THE RAFT… GOALS: Pedro Hernandez 1; ASSISTS: Harry Barba 1; POINTS: Pedro Hernandez 2; SHOTS: Luis Lopez/Walmer Martinez/Rudy Pedroza 2; SAVES: Daniel Lomeli 4.

THE LAST WORD… "Great work ethic and good soccer from our group. We will continue to work hard and hopefully Lady Luck will improve!" – CSUMB Head Coach Shane Carew

THEY'VE GOT NEXT… The Otters return home to host Chico State Friday (Sept. 21) and Stanislaus State Sunday (Sept. 23). Kickoff will be at 3 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Sunday as the nightcaps of men's/women's doubleheader action.