Cal State LA’s women’s soccer team ties with Simon Fraser

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Russell Navarrette

Simon Fraser (red) and Cal State LA (white) begin the game in overcast weather.

Cal State LA’s women’s soccer game against Simon Fraser University (SFU) ended in a tie, 2-2, on Saturday at University Stadium, following Thursday night’s win against Concordia.

Both teams came out offensively in the first half of the game. SFU’s forward Kaylese Callender scored their first goal within the game’s first two minutes. Midfielder Jenieva Musico floated the ball perfectly to Callender to assist the score.

The Golden Eagles responded by scoring two consecutive goals. Midfielder Liliana Gonzalez passed the ball into the goal box. Players from both teams swarmed the box, and midfielder Erin Schrock found the ball to score.

About two minutes later, SFU committed a foul on Cal State LA. Defensive midfielder Destiny Moedano took the free kick and passed the ball into the goal box, and midfielder Melody Landphear scored. LA’s players on and off the field cheered on their teammates for their scoring efforts.

Simon Fraser continued the offensive battle and scored their second goal, towards the end of the first half, by midfielder Kiara Buono.

Head Coach for Cal State LA, Erik Garcia said he liked what he saw from his team.

 “What I liked about our team today was that even though we were down early, we came back to take the lead,” Garcia said. “In the second half, we made fewer mistakes, but we just have to clean it up. Be more disciplined.”

The Red Leaf’s lead in shots attempted; six in the first half and four in the second half. Compared to The Golden Eagles’ five-shot attempts in the first and three in the second half.

Cal State LA changed goalkeeper Areli Reyes, who started the game, for Olivia Spanish in the second half.

Coach Garcia said that the change was not due to the goals being scored in the beginning. The team just needed someone to “come down the line a little bit.” He added that traditionally they tend to switch up the goalkeepers.

Schrock said this game was important for the Golden Eagles, “It was an important game not to get a loss and to keep fighting. Unfortunately, we didn’t get the win, but we did get a tie, so it’s better than a loss.”

The Golden Eagles now hold a record of two wins, one loss, and one tie.

This is the third time in seven years that Cal State LA has played Simon Fraser University from British Columbia, Canada. In 2016, the first meeting ended in a tie, and in 2017 the Red Leafs won.

Cal State LA received their second victory on Thursday, Sept. 1. They defeated Concordia 1-0.

Cal State LA will prepare for its next home game Wednesday, Sept. 18, against Biola University at 7 p.m.