The Cal State Dominguez Hills Toros defeated the UCSD Tritons on Friday night to take the NCAA Division II Western Regional title in women’s soccer. The game, which was tied 2-2 after regulation, ended in a 4-1 penalty kick shootout. It was a physical game that was played in a thick layer of fog that covered the field the entire night.
CSUDH Forward Brooke Thompson led the way for the Toros with one goal during regulation, adding another during penalty kicks.
The close finish was no surprise from either side. Coming into Friday night’s game the all-time series was tied 16-16-4.
“It always seems to be a [close game],” said Coach Joe Flanagan after the game. “A team may go up and look good early, and then the other team comes back. These two teams are like a heavy weight match.”
The Tritons dominated time of possession in the first half, but neither team was able to score. It was the physical play of the Toros that kept the score even through the first 45 minutes of play.
UCSD came out noticeably flat in the second half, and the Toros took advantage. CSUDH scored twice in the first five minutes of the period (48’, 50’), once off a free kick and then off of a sloppy play from UCSD that ended up an own goal.
“Unfortunately that little four-minute spell to start the second half put us behind.” UCSD Coach Brian McManus said.
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