TURLOCK – Nathan Toricelli’s third goal of the season for the Otters proved to be the game winner Sunday, as Cal State Monterey Bay defeated Cal State Stanislaus for the second time in 2008, 1-0, at the Turlock Regional Sports Complex.
Toricelli slammed home a throw-in from Dylan Niven with his left foot in the 41st minute. The Otters were packed tight into the penalty area for the throw. A Warrior defender was able to deflect the ball slightly with his head, but the ball went straight to Toricelli who drove it into the net.
The 1-0 loss is the Warriors’ 15th one-goal loss in their last 33 games dating back to 2007. Their record now stands at 3-10-1 overall and 2-9-0 against California Collegiate Athletic Association opponents. Cal State Monterey Bay improves to 3-9-4 overall and 3-6-3 in CCAA play.
The Warriors’ four seniors,
Matt Ryan,
Thomas Janz,
Matt Johnson and
Greg Pelton, were all honored Sunday as part of the Senior Day festivities. Ryan and Janz played well on the back line all game to keep the Otters off the board during normal play, and Pelton and Johnson were solid in the midfield creating several scoring opportunities.
Johnson broke free with about 90 seconds to play and was sprinting towards the goal in a one-on-one situation with the potential for tying the game, but got tripped up about 20 yards out and the play fell apart.
The Warriors outshot the Otters 17-8, including 10-3 in the second half alone. A total of five cautions and 37 fouls were issued in what was a physical game.
The Warriors’ final home game of the season will be at 3 p.m. Friday against Chico State. The game, originally scheduled to be played on campus, will instead be played at the Turlock Regional Sports Complex.
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