BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA — Cal State LA claimed a 1-0 victory over Cal Poly Pomona on Sunday, extending its winning streak to two matches. The Eagles struck late to secure the road win before a regional matchup that carried implications for both teams' tournament positioning.
Alex Mendez scored the decisive goal in the 86th minute, lifting Cal State LA past the Broncos in a tightly contested Division II contest. The late breakthrough proved decisive as Cal Poly Pomona could not equalize in the remaining minutes.
Cal State LA controlled possession and efficiency despite Cal Poly Pomona's territorial advantage. The Broncos dominated shot attempts with 14 to the Eagles' 8, but Cal State LA converted their opportunities more effectively with 4 shots on goal compared to Pomona's 5. Cal Poly Pomona's corner kick advantage of 8-2 failed to produce results, while the home team committed two yellow card infractions.
The Eagles' goalkeeper recorded 5 saves to preserve the shutout, a critical performance in the narrow victory. Cal State LA's defense weathered sustained pressure throughout the second half to secure the three points.
Cal State LA improved to 8-3-5 on the season with the win, maintaining its position as a regional contender. The Eagles' recent form—winning two of their last three matches—demonstrates their competitive standing in the California Collegiate Athletic Association landscape.
Cal Poly Pomona fell to 7-5-5 after dropping consecutive matches. The Broncos' two-game losing streak has complicated their regional tournament hopes heading into the final