For the third time in history, Cal State LA is heading into nationals after defeating Cal Poly Pomona. 

With Cal State LA winning against Cal Poly Pomona 1-0 on Saturday night, it took home another Super Region 4 championship trophy to add to their collection as back-to-back champions. In the 67th minute,David Elizaga scored and completed an amazing sequence from Carl Solli and Jose Orellana. 

The Golden Eagles will face Super Region 2 champions Nova Southeastern in a semifinal match on Thursday at 4 p.m. PST in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Cal State LA has won California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) regular season, CCAA Tournament, and Super Region 4 championships so far this season. The men’s soccer team have previously made it to the Final Four national championship in 1981 and 2019.

Chris Chamides, head coach of the men’s soccer team, has high hopes for the team as it heads to nationals. He continues to see his athletes grow since the Final four in 2019. 

“Our goals remain the same,” said Chamides. “We always want to prepare well and compete in a way that makes us and our university proud. The idea of adding a national championship is a great opportunity to stretch our dreams further.”

Even with a season taken away from them due to the pandemic, Chamides said he continues to be proud of his team and notices the way his athletes have pushed on. 

“These young men fought for progress and stayed with it and eventually found their best form,” he said.

Co-captain of the team David Elizaga, who is currently getting his master’s degree in mechanical engineering, hopes that even though the team lost a season to the pandemic, they still feel just as prepared to go into the Final Four. 

“It’s been a great season,” said Elizaga. “Although we have won everything else before and in this season, this [national championship] is the one thing that I really want and we hope to win.”

Cal State LA students and soccer fans said they are feeling prouder than ever to be an Eagle. 

Fourth-year business management major Leo Pallares stays up to date with the team when announcements are posted on social media, but he also tries his best to squeeze in some time to make it to the games in person. 

“You all have been working all season long for this moment,” said Pallares. “This is your victory to celebrate. Show the competition the true Golden Eagle spirit.”

 Gustavo Maldonado, a Golden Eagle soccer fanatic and a first-year television, film and media major, attends most of the soccer games when possible. He also keeps up with the team’s statistics on the Cal State LA sports page. 

The Golden Eagles will play in the semifinals against the Sharks on Thursday, Dec. 9, at 4 p.m. PST. If the Golden Eagles win the semifinal, they will head to compete in the final Division 2 national championship game against the winner between the Greyhounds from the University of Indianapolis and the Charleston Golden Eagles from the University of Charleston. Winners of the semifinals will play on Dec. 11 at 2 p.m PST.