SEASIDE, Calif. — Sophomore Alexandra Diaz (Brentwood/Heritage HS) made her first collegiate goal a big one, scoring in the 84th minute to lift Cal State Monterey Bay to a 1–0 win over Cal State L.A. Friday night at the Otter Sports Complex.
The win brought an important three points CSUMB's (8–4–1, 3–4–0 CCAA) way. Just as importantly, it kept a valuable three points out of the pockets of CSULA (5–5–1, 2–4–1 CCAA).
The win also allowed the Otters to jump both L.A. and Cal State Dominguez Hills in the race for a CCAA Tournament berth.
With defense carrying the day on both ends of the field, the match appeared a lock for extra time. But Sophia Zertuche (Madera South HS/Fresno CC) didn't get that memo. She streaked down the left wing and sent a low cross that L.A. goalkeeper Amanda Leal couldn't get a handle on at the near post.
Diaz took advantage crashing through a pair of Golden Eagle defenders to bury the match–winner.
The Diaz marker also made a winner of senior defender
Alyson Shade (Brea–Olinda HS), who earned her surprising third shutout of the season while starting once again in place of the injured
Alysa Noh.
THE MATCH WAS OVER WHEN… Alexandra Diaz bundled home her first collegiate goal from the doorstep in the 84th minute.
CRAZY 8s… Friday's 1–0 win over Cal State L.A. was CSUMB's eighth of the season. That equals the mark of the 2012 team for the most at the NCAA level (since 2004). The 2002 and 2003 Otters each won 11 matches as member of the NAIA and California Pacific Conference.
KEEP IT CLEAN, PART I… Back in August when the Otters reported for training camp, you would have been called crazy if you guessed that defender Alyson Schade — who had never played a minute of goal at the collegiate level — would lead the team with three shutouts on Oct. 25. But that is exactly where things stand after Shade tied Alyssa Noh with her third clean sheet of the season Friday night against Cal State L.A.
KEEP IT CLEAN, PART II… Friday's shutout was the sixth of the season for CSUMB. That mark ranks No. 4 on the Otter single–season list for shutouts. The Otters set the program record with nine shutouts in 2018.
KEEP IT CLEAN, PART III… The Otters now have 23 total shutouts in 2–plus seasons under Head Coach Laura VanWart. Prior to that, CSUMB's top effort over three full seasons with 15 shutouts from 2012–14.
LEADERS OF THE RAFT… GOALS: Alexandra Diaz 1; ASSISTS: Sophia Zertuche 1; POINTS: Alexandra Diaz 2; SHOTS: Alexandra Diaz/Jasmine Safarians 1; SAVES: Alyson Schade 5.
THE LAST WORD… "Great to get a conference win against such a talented CSULA team. Our back line was outstanding defensively, giving the group time to find a goal. I think we can find more goals moving forward with more service in the box and utilizing our wide players." – CSUMB Head Coach Laura VanWart
THEY'VE GOT NEXT… The Otters will play their final regular season home match Sunday when they host Cal State Dominguez Hills as part of a CCAA doubleheader. The men will kick off at 11:30 a.m. and the women will kick off at 2 p.m.
GO OTTERS!
