BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA - Cal State Dominguez Hills extended their winning streak to seven matches with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Fresno Pacific on Monday evening. Justin Cuevas netted the decisive goal in the 81st minute as the Toros (10-2-3) continued their impressive run of form.
After 80 minutes of scoreless action, Cuevas finally broke the deadlock with a well-placed shot from inside the penalty area. The goal came after sustained pressure from the Toros, who had been knocking on the door throughout the second half.
The first half saw Cal State Dominguez Hills establish control early, with Diego Barahona forcing two blocked shots in the 7th minute. Aldair Marta and Cole Bon both tested the Fresno Pacific defense, while the Sunbirds struggled to generate consistent attacking opportunities. Cristian Trujillo picked up a yellow card for Fresno Pacific in the 19th minute after a tactical foul.
The second half brought increased intensity from both sides. Fresno Pacific's Bryan Lopez and Zion Vaughn both recorded attempts on goal, while the Toros continued their attacking pressure through Justin Cuevas and Aldair Marta. Multiple substitutions from both teams around the 65th minute injected fresh energy into the match, ultimately leading to Cuevas' breakthrough goal.
The statistical advantage clearly favored the home side, as Cal State Dominguez Hills outshot Fresno Pacific 21-11, with both teams recording five shots on target. The Toros also dominated set pieces, earning 10 corner kicks to Fresno Pacific's three. Each team received one yellow card, with Kenny Lee being cautioned for the Toros in the 89th minute.
Several players stood out individually throughout the match. Aldair Marta recorded multiple shots for the Toros before being substituted in the 78th minute, while Diego Barahona proved dangerous with several attempts on goal. Fresno Pacific's Zion Vaughn showed resilience in midfield, creating several opportunities before being substituted late in the match.
The tactical battle showcased Cal State Dominguez Hills' superior possession game, with the Toros effectively using width to create attacking opportunities. Fresno Pacific adopted a more counter-attacking approach, looking to exploit spaces left by the Toros' aggressive positioning, though ultimately failing to find the breakthrough.
This victory further cements Cal State Dominguez Hills' strong position in the conference, extending their impressive winning streak to seven matches. For Fresno Pacific (5-7-2), the loss represents another setback in what has been an inconsistent season, though their defensive organization for most of the match showed promise.
Both teams face quick turnarounds with upcoming matches. Cal State Dominguez Hills will look to maintain their momentum when they host Stanislaus State on October 31, while Fresno Pacific aims to bounce back against CUI on November 1.
The match officials maintained good control throughout, with only two yellow cards issued in what was an intensely contested but fair match. The victory keeps Cal State Dominguez Hills' impressive run intact, while Fresno Pacific will take encouragement from their defensive display despite the late setback.