Sophomore
Jose Godinez scored the match-winning goal in the 87th minute Friday as Cal State San Bernardino defeated UC San Diego, 2-1, in a CCAA conference men's soccer match at Coyote Premier Field.
Godinez' match winner was his second goal of the day and gives him six on the season.
The Coyotes are not 7-10-2 overall and 6-5-2 in the CCAA's South Division, taking over sole possession of third place in the division, heading into Sunday's home season finale against South Division leader and West Region No. 1-ranked Cal State Dominguez Hills at 2 p.m.
UCSD, ranked No. 6 in the West Region, saw its record slip to 9-6-2 overall and 5-6-2 in the conference, all alone in fourth place. Coach Joe Pascale said the loss may have damaged the Tritons' chances for a trip to the West Regional, which takes six teams this year. They close out the regular season at Cal Poly Pomona on Sunday.
The victory enabled the Coyotes to sweep the season series from the Tritons, having won 3-0 in La Jolla back in September.
Godinez opened the scoring in the 22nd minute when a deflected crossing pass fell at his feet in the penalty area and he drilled a low shot into the net for a 1-0 Coyotes advantage that held up until halftime.
The Tritons got the equalizer in the 55th minute on a volley by Tony Hernandez into the upper V of the net off a pass from the right side by Aaron McDowell. It was Hernandez' team-leading sixth goal of the season.
CSUSB got the match-winner on a counter attack after a punt by UCSD keeper Peter Akman. Sophomore
Obi Agwu delivered a through ball that Godinez ran onto and then beat Akman with a low shot to the left side of the net. It was Agwu's team-leading seventh assist.
Both goalies – Peter Akman of UCSD and
Arath De La Rocha of CSUSB -- played well, combining for 13 saves on the day.
CAL STATE SAN BERNARDINO 2, UC SAN DIEGO 1
UCSD goal: Tony Fernandez. Assist: Aaron McDowell
CSUSB goals:
Jose Godinez (2); Assist:
Obi Agwu
Goalie saves: Peter Akman (UCSD) 6;
Arath De La Rocha (SB) 7.
