TURLOCK — A physical contest swung momentum all directions over 90 minutes Sunday, with a total of three goals coming by way of penalty kicks, as visiting Cal State Dominguez Hills snapped the Stanislaus State men's soccer team's five-game winning streak with a 4-1 win at Warrior Stadium.
 
The two teams combined for 12 cautions and 43 fouls in the clash. The Toros' first goal came on a penalty kick called in the 33rd minute after a crashing of bodies for a contested ball in the air. Alpha Sowe converted for CSUDH to take the 1-0 lead. It would stay that way through halftime and nearly 15 minutes more into the second half before the Toros began pulling away.
 
"As coach (Cameron Bushey) said after the game, 'We did exceptionally well to earn the luck and favor we had in the first half,' even though they had a lot of chances and we had a hard time breaking their press," said Stanislaus State head coach Morgan Cathey. "Their opportunities were there for them, but we ended them in the box really well. Unfortunately, giving up the penalty that we did was a huge moment in the first half."
 
A quick attack from Michael McKibbin and Brandon Lee made it 2-0 in the 59th minute. McKibbin dribbled into the box from the left side, beat a defender and passed to Lee's feet, where he was able to finish low for the goal. Only three minutes later, the Toros earned another penalty kick goal when Stanislaus State goalkeeper Sebastian Castellanos was carded for knocking down an attacking player. Sulaiman Bah converted the PK, making it 3-0.
 
But Stan State wasn't done fighting. Julian Madrigal drew a penalty kick opportunity as well in the 80th minute. His PK shot was saved by CSUDH 'keeper Dylan De Baldo, but he was able to sprint in and finish the rebound for his fifth goal of the year and a 3-1 score. Cal State Dominguez Hills got an insurance goal in the 87th minute when a crossing pass was unintentionally deflected into the Warriors' net for an own goal and a 4-1 score.
 
"More than anything, for us, this game presented some challenges and really - an opponent that was an aggressor throughout the game and that caused us a lot of problems," said Cathey. "I thought we dealt really well with some of those problems and I thought the areas that we didn't handle well, we will in the future because we'll learn and grow from these opportunities."
 
Stanislaus State next travels to Southern California for two CCAA matches next weekend. The Warriors face Cal Poly Pomona at 7 p.m. Friday and Cal State L.A. at 2 p.m. Sunday. Fans can find all live coverage links on WarriorAthletics.com.