LOS ANGELES – Thursday's matchup between No. 24-ranked Cal Poly Pomona and No. 8-ranked Cal State L.A. was bound for some excitement with the CCAA regular-season championship and top seed in the conference tournament on the line. It was a must-win for the Broncos as they sat two points behind the Golden Eagles in the CCAA standings, but Cal State LA held onto a 2-1 lead to win the game and the regular season title.
CPP slips to 11-3-3 on the year and 8-1-2 in the CCAA, while Cal State L.A. improves to 12-2-2, 10-0-1.
The Broncos wasted little time to get on the board as
Paul Henschke scored six minutes into the game.
Christian Miramontes made his way to the byline and sent a low ball across the top of the six-yard box where Henschke buried it into the back of the net.
Cal State LA had a response, however, and scored two goals before the first half expired, putting the Eagles up 2-1 at halftime.
Coming out of the break desperate for at least one goal to buy more time – Cal State LA would still win the championship with a draw – the Broncos turned on the offensive pressure. CPP out-shot the Eagles 5-to-0 in the second half, but couldn't quite seem to capitalize.
With four minutes left in the game,
Jerry Ramirez fired off a long-range shot, but the Golden Eagles goalkeeper made the save to keep his team in front.
The Broncos had two more chances in the final 20 seconds of action and put everyone in on the attack. CPP got a free kick in Golden Eagles territory, but it went out for a corner kick before the Broncos could get a good look on goal.
Eduardo Faria drove in the corner kick and it bounced around before ultimately landing out of bounds as the final whistle blew to seal the 2-1 Golden Eagles victory.
Cal Poly Pomona heads to the CCAA Men's Soccer Tournament as the No. 2 seed with a first-round bye. The Broncos will take on the winner of Sunday's first quarterfinal game between No. 3 seed Cal State San Bernardino or No. 6 seed Chico State on Friday, Nov. 12 at 4 p.m. in Los Angeles.
