POMONA, Calif. - California State University San Bernardino women's soccer fell 3-2 to Cal State Los Angeles Thursday evening in the CCAA Tournament Semifinals at Kellogg Stadium.
With the defeat, the Coyotes move to 10-5-4 overall.
Fifth-year defender and All-CCAA Honorable Mention selection Ruby Segura opened the scoring at 5:15 with a strike from nearly midfield. After taking a throw-in, she collected LA's clearance and fired toward the upper-right corner. The goalkeeper got her fingertips to the shot but could not keep it out, giving CSUSB an early 1-0 lead.
The advantage lasted just three minutes, as Cal State LA capitalized on a throw-in that CSUSB could not control. A Golden Eagles attacker turned and fired into the lower-left corner to bring the match level.
Junior forward Maya Alston had a chance to restore the lead after drawing a penalty in the 18th minute. She stepped up and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way, but her low shot struck the left post.
CSUSB broke through again in the 28th minute when senior defender Leilani White sent a long ball into the box. Fifth-year forward Alissa Torres shielded it near the penalty spot, turned and buried a left-footed finish into the lower-right corner to make it 2-1.
The Coyotes carried that lead into halftime with a 4-2 edge in shots, already surpassing their three attempts from the teams' regular-season meeting.
Momentum shifted after the break as Cal State LA controlled the play and drew a penalty following a late challenge off a corner. The Golden Eagles converted in the 57th minute to tie the match at 2-2, then continued to press.Â
Senior goalkeeper Bella Ortiz kept CSUSB level with an outstanding diving save in the 59th minute.
Another penalty proved costly in the 77th minute, with Cal State LA converting again to take a 3-2 lead. Alston sent an attempt over the bar in the 84th minute as CSUSB searched for an equalizer.
Both teams were reduced to 10 players with 2:19 remaining, and the Coyotes could not find a late goal.
Ortiz took the loss in between the pipes, despite making four saves, all in the second half.
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