The Cal State LA Golden Eagles drew 2–2 with the Cal State Humboldt Lumberjacks on Senior Day, Oct. 26 at University Stadium. This extended their winless streak at home to two games over consecutive weekends.
Before kickoff, Cal State LA honored its senior players for their dedication and leadership both on and off the field: center back Angel Sevillano, midfielders Joel Green and Alex Mendez, and winger Hunter Devlin.
For this match, the Golden Eagles experimented with a new formation, switching from their usual 4-3-3 to a 4-4-2. The opening ten minutes were balanced, but the Golden Eagles looked sharper in possession and more dangerous going forward.
The early pressure put on the Eagles paid off in the 13th minute. Felix Alverdale launched a long-range ball from near midfield – Toni Kroos-style – finding Erick Alamo inside the box. Alamo headed the ball past former Cal State LA goalkeeper Edwin Monterrosa, who now plays for Humboldt, to open the scoring. It was Alamo’s fifth goal of the season, extending his team lead just a day before his 22nd birthday.
Cal State LA continued to control the tempo, maintaining possession and recovering quickly after turnovers. In the 22nd minute, a foul from a Humboldt defender gave the Golden Eagles a free kick about 23 meters from the goal. Ignacio Moreno faked a shot, allowing Geovanni Antuna to strike a curling shot into the top corner, a stunning goal to make it 2–0 and his second of the season.
Humboldt struggled to respond as Cal State LA’s defense stayed organized. In the 25th minute, midfielder Emil Kischka made his long-awaited return from an ankle injury suffered early in the season against Seattle Pacific University, replacing Moreno in the midfield. (The injury caused Kischka to miss ten matches.)
The Lumberjacks found their first real chance in the 30th minute when Seth Uson fired from distance, his shot deflecting just wide of goalkeeper Ricardo Cabrera. Five minutes later, Marcos Lipertis and Andreas Christou combined in the box, but the play ended with a shot over the bar. Soon after, Cal State LA forward Jeancarlo Alvarez capitalized on a defensive error to set up Christou one-on-one with Monterrosa, but the goalkeeper’s quick reaction denied a third goal.
With Sevillano sidelined due to injury, Christos Efstathiou stepped into the backline and impressed, blocking multiple shots late in the half. Referee Abdu Juma blew the whistle for halftime, with the Golden Eagles comfortably in control — organized in defense and efficient in possession.
After the break, Humboldt came out stronger. In the 48th minute, Dominik Chipp forced a brilliant save from Cabrera, who tipped a header over the crossbar. Cal State LA quickly countered as Alamo fed Angel Sandres, whose shot was again stopped by Monterrosa.
The match grew increasingly physical, with Humboldt committing several hard fouls that went unpunished. Head coach Michael Erush protested from the sideline, but play continued. In the 61st minute, Efstathiou nearly scored from a Moreno pass, sending his shot just wide. Despite controlling the ball, Cal State LA couldn’t convert its dominance into goals.
Cabrera continued to be reliable in goal, saving another dangerous effort from Chipp midway through the half. In the 74th minute, Efstathiou got involved offensively again, heading on target from a set piece that Monterrosa managed to block.
As the clock ticked down, the Golden Eagles pressed for a third. Lipertis sent in a cross from the left that Alvarez almost finished, but Monterrosa made another crucial save. Moments later, Humboldt struck back on a lethal counterattack. Luke Gomes finished calmly in the 78th minute to make it 2–1 and reignite the visitors’ hopes.
The Lumberjacks pushed forward with renewed energy. In the 87th minute, referee Juma awarded a free kick just outside the box. Defender Shota Lam unleashed a powerful left-footed strike into the top corner, leaving Cabrera no other choice but to see the ball hit the back of his net as Humboldt completed the comeback to level the match, 2–2.
Midfielder Kischka, making his first appearance since early September, reflected on his speedy recovery and return to the field. “I wanted to come back, help the team,” Kischka said. “Injuring myself that quick in the season hurt me a lot, but stronger was my mindset to come back. I worked in the lab with the trainers every day, and that’s how I got back.”
Goalkeeper Ricardo Cabrera, who made his first career start this season, shared his thoughts on the final minutes. “They were just hungrier than us. They came out strong,” Cabrera said. “We were missing more intensity, that extra push to keep going.”
Looking ahead, Cabrera spoke about what the team must improve before their next match against San Bernandino. “Just get the details right,” Cabrera said. “Keep fighting till the end. Keep moving.”
In their following home match on Halloween night, the Golden Eagles won against Cal State San Bernardino 3-2.
